Roman History 34 - Constantius III To Valentinian III 420-440 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode Rome episode Rome episode 166 as long as she's nice to look at last time we left off with the at last time we left off with the starving and desperate Goths agreeing to starving and desperate Goths agreeing to starving and desperate Goths agreeing to become vassals of the Roman Empire in become vassals of the Roman Empire in become vassals of the Roman Empire in exchange for 600,000 bushels of Wheat exchange for 600,000 bushels of Wheat exchange for 600,000 bushels of Wheat and the release of The Emperor's sister and the release of The Emperor's sister and the release of The Emperor's sister galapia and that's Gala not Gallia galapia and that's Gala not Gallia galapia and that's Gala not Gallia thanks to listener crisen for catching thanks to listener crisen for catching thanks to listener crisen for catching my random vowel my random vowel my random vowel insertion the Goths agreed to settle insertion the Goths agreed to settle insertion the Goths agreed to settle where the emperor told them to settle where the emperor told them to settle where the emperor told them to settle and fight who the emperor told them to and fight who the emperor told them to and fight who the emperor told them to fight and by the emperor I of course fight and by the emperor I of course fight and by the emperor I of course mean the de facto Emperor constantius mean the de facto Emperor constantius mean the de facto Emperor constantius III who is essentially running the III who is essentially running the III who is essentially running the Western Empire at this point in Western Empire at this point in Western Empire at this point in history indeed constantius is power and history indeed constantius is power and history indeed constantius is power and PR will eventually reach Such Great PR will eventually reach Such Great PR will eventually reach Such Great Heights that we will be able to drop the Heights that we will be able to drop the Heights that we will be able to drop the deao from his title as hus will invite deao from his title as hus will invite deao from his title as hus will invite the general to join him in the Imperial the general to join him in the Imperial the general to join him in the Imperial College as co-emperor of the Western College as co-emperor of the Western College as co-emperor of the Western Empire but we'll get to that in a Empire but we'll get to that in a Empire but we'll get to that in a second the land the Romans had dangled second the land the Romans had dangled second the land the Romans had dangled out in front of the Goths was the gallic out in front of the Goths was the gallic out in front of the Goths was the gallic region of aquatan just north of the region of aquatan just north of the region of aquatan just north of the Pines along the Atlantic Pines along the Atlantic Pines along the Atlantic coast the price for this new Homeland coast the price for this new Homeland coast the price for this new Homeland would be the destruction of the vandals would be the destruction of the vandals would be the destruction of the vandals and alons who still roamed free in and alons who still roamed free in and alons who still roamed free in Hispanic Hispanic Hispanic this price is instructive about the this price is instructive about the this price is instructive about the political military and demographic political military and demographic political military and demographic realities of the Western Empire in the realities of the Western Empire in the realities of the Western Empire in the fifth fifth fifth century you'll note that the major century you'll note that the major century you'll note that the major problem in hispania is not that

problem in hispania is not that problem in hispania is not that Barbarian elements had settled down and Barbarian elements had settled down and Barbarian elements had settled down and were drawing taxes and supplies from the were drawing taxes and supplies from the were drawing taxes and supplies from the local local local communities no the real problem was that communities no the real problem was that communities no the real problem was that they were doing it without having signed they were doing it without having signed they were doing it without having signed some kind of treaty with some kind of treaty with some kind of treaty with Rena over in Gul for example a piece had Rena over in Gul for example a piece had Rena over in Gul for example a piece had set in not because the Barbarian set in not because the Barbarian set in not because the Barbarian Invaders had been sent running back Invaders had been sent running back Invaders had been sent running back across the Rind peace had set in because across the Rind peace had set in because across the Rind peace had set in because those Barbarian Invaders had made deals those Barbarian Invaders had made deals those Barbarian Invaders had made deals with the emperor that allowed them to with the emperor that allowed them to with the emperor that allowed them to stay usually those deals were of the stay usually those deals were of the stay usually those deals were of the land for soldiers variety but the land for soldiers variety but the land for soldiers variety but the details varied from tribe to tribe so the Franks as you know already tribe so the Franks as you know already control most of Northeast G the Goths control most of Northeast G the Goths control most of Northeast G the Goths are about to control a major chunk of are about to control a major chunk of are about to control a major chunk of Southwest Gul and in between Barbarian Southwest Gul and in between Barbarian Southwest Gul and in between Barbarian groups groups large and small were groups groups large and small were groups groups large and small were settling into their new homes West of settling into their new homes West of settling into their new homes West of the R so demographically the provinces the R so demographically the provinces the R so demographically the provinces of the Western Empire were undergoing a of the Western Empire were undergoing a of the Western Empire were undergoing a fairly major fairly major fairly major transformation the key was that this transformation the key was that this transformation the key was that this transformation was taking place under transformation was taking place under transformation was taking place under the official oaces of the Imperial the official oaces of the Imperial the official oaces of the Imperial government which is to say that that government which is to say that that government which is to say that that quidd pro quo was in place land for the quidd pro quo was in place land for the quidd pro quo was in place land for the barbarians soldiers for the barbarians soldiers for the barbarians soldiers for the empire in hispania no such quidd proquo empire in hispania no such quidd proquo empire in hispania no such quidd proquo existed existed existed well that's not entirely accurate such a well that's not entirely accurate such a well that's not entirely accurate such a quidd pro quot had existed but the deal quidd pro quot had existed but the deal quidd pro quot had existed but the deal had been struck with Maximus and ganus had been struck with Maximus and ganus had been struck with Maximus and ganus rather than honorious and constantius so rather than honorious and constantius so rather than honorious and constantius so Rena considered the alons and vandals to

Rena considered the alons and vandals to Rena considered the alons and vandals to be illegal squatters and of course it's be illegal squatters and of course it's be illegal squatters and of course it's not like the alons and vandals were not like the alons and vandals were not like the alons and vandals were helping their cause by diligently helping their cause by diligently helping their cause by diligently passing along taxes the chronology is a bit muddled taxes the chronology is a bit muddled here but it appears that begin in 416 here but it appears that begin in 416 here but it appears that begin in 416 the year after he capitulated to the year after he capitulated to the year after he capitulated to constantius wallia led the Goths on a constantius wallia led the Goths on a constantius wallia led the Goths on a campaign that saw them immediately get campaign that saw them immediately get campaign that saw them immediately get the better of the alons and at least one the better of the alons and at least one the better of the alons and at least one major faction of the major faction of the major faction of the vandals sometime between 416 and 417 the vandals sometime between 416 and 417 the vandals sometime between 416 and 417 the alons who had been the most powerful of alons who had been the most powerful of alons who had been the most powerful of the tribes in hispania were crushed in the tribes in hispania were crushed in the tribes in hispania were crushed in battle and their King was battle and their King was battle and their King was killed following up on this Victory killed following up on this Victory killed following up on this Victory wallia moved against a branch of the wallia moved against a branch of the wallia moved against a branch of the vandals who had settled into Northern vandals who had settled into Northern vandals who had settled into Northern hispan hispan hispan crushing them in battle just as they had crushing them in battle just as they had crushing them in battle just as they had crushed the crushed the crushed the alons reports of these victories were alons reports of these victories were alons reports of these victories were music to constantius his ears and he music to constantius his ears and he music to constantius his ears and he rewarded the Goths by granting them the rewarded the Goths by granting them the rewarded the Goths by granting them the lands he had promised and so beginning lands he had promised and so beginning lands he had promised and so beginning in 417 the Goths started to migrate over in 417 the Goths started to migrate over in 417 the Goths started to migrate over to aquatan the region they would call to aquatan the region they would call to aquatan the region they would call home for the rest of the century it is unclear exactly how the century it is unclear exactly how the settlement and integration of the Goths settlement and integration of the Goths settlement and integration of the Goths into the region played out especially into the region played out especially into the region played out especially since you know there were people already since you know there were people already since you know there were people already living living living there but most likely the higher status there but most likely the higher status there but most likely the higher status Goths simply took on the role of Goths simply took on the role of Goths simply took on the role of landlord accepting the produce of the landlord accepting the produce of the landlord accepting the produce of the local communities without actually local communities without actually local communities without actually displacing them from their displacing them from their displacing them from their lands meanwhile the lower status Goths

lands meanwhile the lower status Goths lands meanwhile the lower status Goths probably would have been moved onto land probably would have been moved onto land probably would have been moved onto land held by the Imperial government or onto held by the Imperial government or onto held by the Imperial government or onto lands that had been forfeited by Nobles lands that had been forfeited by Nobles lands that had been forfeited by Nobles who either by death or treason had lost who either by death or treason had lost who either by death or treason had lost their deeds their deeds their deeds during the chaotic last few during the chaotic last few during the chaotic last few years the arrangement wound up working years the arrangement wound up working years the arrangement wound up working to everyone's benefit as the Goths now to everyone's benefit as the Goths now to everyone's benefit as the Goths now had a stable source of food and because had a stable source of food and because had a stable source of food and because the Goths now had a stable source of the Goths now had a stable source of the Goths now had a stable source of food the Romans didn't have to worry food the Romans didn't have to worry food the Romans didn't have to worry about them going off pillaging every about them going off pillaging every about them going off pillaging every time they got hungry while constantius waited for the hungry while constantius waited for the Goths to settle in and catch their Goths to settle in and catch their Goths to settle in and catch their breath before they headed back into breath before they headed back into breath before they headed back into hispania to finish the job he attended hispania to finish the job he attended hispania to finish the job he attended to some personal business that might to some personal business that might to some personal business that might potentially have far-reaching potentially have far-reaching potentially have far-reaching consequences for the future of the consequences for the future of the consequences for the future of the Imperial family and the Western Empire Imperial family and the Western Empire Imperial family and the Western Empire as a as a as a whole in early 417 the emperor huius whole in early 417 the emperor huius whole in early 417 the emperor huius announced that his finest General would announced that his finest General would announced that his finest General would be marrying his only sister who was now be marrying his only sister who was now be marrying his only sister who was now free of the treacherous clutches of the free of the treacherous clutches of the free of the treacherous clutches of the Goths I can only imagine that Goths I can only imagine that Goths I can only imagine that constantius was delighted by this constantius was delighted by this constantius was delighted by this pairing which made him the pairing which made him the pairing which made him the brother-in-law of the emperor and if all brother-in-law of the emperor and if all brother-in-law of the emperor and if all went right the father of any and all went right the father of any and all went right the father of any and all heirs to the Western heirs to the Western heirs to the Western Throne galapia on the other hand is Throne galapia on the other hand is Throne galapia on the other hand is reported to have been none too thrilled reported to have been none too thrilled reported to have been none too thrilled about the prospect of Mary and about the prospect of Mary and about the prospect of Mary and constantius and while the specific constantius and while the specific constantius and while the specific reasons for her resistance are all reasons for her resistance are all reasons for her resistance are all speculative maybe she was still in love speculative maybe she was still in love speculative maybe she was still in love with a tlf wherever you see the marriage

with a tlf wherever you see the marriage with a tlf wherever you see the marriage mentioned it is always noted that pdia mentioned it is always noted that pdia mentioned it is always noted that pdia wed against her wed against her wed against her will which was the nice thing about will which was the nice thing about will which was the nice thing about being a woman in those days you could be being a woman in those days you could be being a woman in those days you could be held captive by a horde of Barbarians held captive by a horde of Barbarians held captive by a horde of Barbarians and forced to marry their King when and forced to marry their King when and forced to marry their King when you're finally given your quote unquote you're finally given your quote unquote you're finally given your quote unquote Freedom you are immediately forced to Freedom you are immediately forced to Freedom you are immediately forced to marry some general you don't know and marry some general you don't know and marry some general you don't know and probably don't probably don't probably don't like the Roman world rejoiced when like the Roman world rejoiced when like the Roman world rejoiced when galidia was set free how much of a galidia was set free how much of a galidia was set free how much of a difference in her condition plaia difference in her condition plaia difference in her condition plaia herself saw between living with the herself saw between living with the herself saw between living with the Goths and living at the Imperial Court Goths and living at the Imperial Court Goths and living at the Imperial Court would be an interesting question to have would be an interesting question to have would be an interesting question to have an answer to I would guess though that an answer to I would guess though that an answer to I would guess though that she would say that the bath were better she would say that the bath were better she would say that the bath were better in in in Rena 9 months after the wedding pdia Rena 9 months after the wedding pdia Rena 9 months after the wedding pdia gave birth to a healthy baby girl named gave birth to a healthy baby girl named gave birth to a healthy baby girl named hanor unlike bia's first child hanor hanor unlike bia's first child hanor hanor unlike bia's first child hanor would live through her infancy and would live through her infancy and would live through her infancy and eventually become an influential eventually become an influential eventually become an influential Imperial princess although the Rena Imperial princess although the Rena Imperial princess although the Rena Court probably could have done without Court probably could have done without Court probably could have done without her most famous intrusion into the her most famous intrusion into the her most famous intrusion into the treacherous world of international treacherous world of international treacherous world of international statecraft which we'll get to when we statecraft which we'll get to when we statecraft which we'll get to when we get to talking about everyone's favorite hun in the spring of 418 constantius was hun in the spring of 418 constantius was ready to press on with his program of ready to press on with his program of ready to press on with his program of rep pacifying hispania and he called rep pacifying hispania and he called rep pacifying hispania and he called upon the Goths to head back out into upon the Goths to head back out into upon the Goths to head back out into battle however at some point in here it battle however at some point in here it battle however at some point in here it ceases to be king wallia leading the ceases to be king wallia leading the ceases to be king wallia leading the Goths it is unclear to me whether wallia

Goths it is unclear to me whether wallia Goths it is unclear to me whether wallia fell in battle or simply died of natural fell in battle or simply died of natural fell in battle or simply died of natural causes but in 418 he goes away and is causes but in 418 he goes away and is causes but in 418 he goes away and is replaced by the oric one of the replaced by the oric one of the replaced by the oric one of the illegitimate sons of all illegitimate sons of all illegitimate sons of all aleric now theodoric as some of you may aleric now theodoric as some of you may aleric now theodoric as some of you may already be aware is not going to go the already be aware is not going to go the already be aware is not going to go the way of a tall Fen Walia leading the way of a tall Fen Walia leading the way of a tall Fen Walia leading the Goths just long enough to get his Goths just long enough to get his Goths just long enough to get his footnote in history before dying and footnote in history before dying and footnote in history before dying and passing the footnote on to some obscure passing the footnote on to some obscure passing the footnote on to some obscure successor no Theodor is here to stay and successor no Theodor is here to stay and successor no Theodor is here to stay and will not fall for another 30 years when will not fall for another 30 years when will not fall for another 30 years when in 451 he will die successfully in 451 he will die successfully in 451 he will die successfully defending the Western Empire from defending the Western Empire from defending the Western Empire from everyone's favorite hun thus earning everyone's favorite hun thus earning everyone's favorite hun thus earning himself a slightly larger footnote in himself a slightly larger footnote in himself a slightly larger footnote in history theodoric spent 418 campaigning history theodoric spent 418 campaigning history theodoric spent 418 campaigning against the remnants of the alons and against the remnants of the alons and against the remnants of the alons and vandals driving the survivors South vandals driving the survivors South vandals driving the survivors South where they joined the ranks of the only where they joined the ranks of the only where they joined the ranks of the only major unpacified tribe of vandals left major unpacified tribe of vandals left major unpacified tribe of vandals left on the on the on the peninsula these survivors pledged their peninsula these survivors pledged their peninsula these survivors pledged their loyalty to the Vandal King gundrick who loyalty to the Vandal King gundrick who loyalty to the Vandal King gundrick who rechristened himself gundrick King of rechristened himself gundrick King of rechristened himself gundrick King of the vandals and the vandals and the vandals and this reinforced Vandal Army was now the this reinforced Vandal Army was now the this reinforced Vandal Army was now the last major unpacified Barbarian tribe last major unpacified Barbarian tribe last major unpacified Barbarian tribe left in the Western Empire but for whatever reason at this Empire but for whatever reason at this point major operations in Spain appear point major operations in Spain appear point major operations in Spain appear to to to cease minor operations will continue for cease minor operations will continue for cease minor operations will continue for the next few years but either because the next few years but either because the next few years but either because the new combined Vandal Alon Army was

the new combined Vandal Alon Army was the new combined Vandal Alon Army was deemed too powerful to risk battle deemed too powerful to risk battle deemed too powerful to risk battle against or because the Romans were against or because the Romans were against or because the Romans were temporarily satisfied with the territory temporarily satisfied with the territory temporarily satisfied with the territory they had already won back for the next they had already won back for the next they had already won back for the next few years there was no major push to few years there was no major push to few years there was no major push to defeat gundar's defeat gundar's defeat gundar's vandals and by that point the Roman High vandals and by that point the Roman High vandals and by that point the Roman High command ordering set operations looked command ordering set operations looked command ordering set operations looked very different from the one that had very different from the one that had very different from the one that had kicked off The kicked off The kicked off The Campaign instead of pressing the Campaign instead of pressing the Campaign instead of pressing the offensive the revena court appears to offensive the revena court appears to offensive the revena court appears to have shifted its focus to reorganizing have shifted its focus to reorganizing have shifted its focus to reorganizing the provinces that had been lost but the provinces that had been lost but the provinces that had been lost but were now found specifically the con chanes found specifically the con chanes convened a council that would represent convened a council that would represent convened a council that would represent the seven gallic provinces and would the seven gallic provinces and would the seven gallic provinces and would meet each year in meet each year in meet each year in ARL the point of the council was twofold ARL the point of the council was twofold ARL the point of the council was twofold and though these two folds were and though these two folds were and though these two folds were paradoxical they were not illogically paradoxical they were not illogically paradoxical they were not illogically paradoxical if that makes any sense at paradoxical if that makes any sense at paradoxical if that makes any sense at all on the one hand the council was all on the one hand the council was all on the one hand the council was meant to give the provinces a huge meant to give the provinces a huge meant to give the provinces a huge amount of latitude when it came to amount of latitude when it came to amount of latitude when it came to governing governing governing themselves the ability of the central themselves the ability of the central themselves the ability of the central Authority in Rena to micromanage it Authority in Rena to micromanage it Authority in Rena to micromanage it provinces was long dead and given the provinces was long dead and given the provinces was long dead and given the upheavals of the last decade the upheavals of the last decade the upheavals of the last decade the Imperial Court wouldn't even know what Imperial Court wouldn't even know what Imperial Court wouldn't even know what was best for the region let alone how to was best for the region let alone how to was best for the region let alone how to implement policy better to just bring implement policy better to just bring implement policy better to just bring the nobility of Gaul together and let the nobility of Gaul together and let the nobility of Gaul together and let them haggle it out for them haggle it out for them haggle it out for themselves the bonus was the increased themselves the bonus was the increased themselves the bonus was the increased autonomy also lessened the risk of autonomy also lessened the risk of autonomy also lessened the risk of usurpers popping up since the wealthy

usurpers popping up since the wealthy usurpers popping up since the wealthy land owners already had a major say in land owners already had a major say in land owners already had a major say in the governance of the region there would the governance of the region there would the governance of the region there would be no reason for them to back some be no reason for them to back some be no reason for them to back some general who promised to protect their general who promised to protect their general who promised to protect their interests their interests were already protected the paradoxical part of the protected the paradoxical part of the fold though was that the council was fold though was that the council was fold though was that the council was also designed to give Rena an increased also designed to give Rena an increased also designed to give Rena an increased measure of influence over policy in measure of influence over policy in measure of influence over policy in Gul because it's not like the emperor Gul because it's not like the emperor Gul because it's not like the emperor wasn't going to send his own wasn't going to send his own wasn't going to send his own representatives to the representatives to the representatives to the council with every major player in GA in council with every major player in GA in council with every major player in GA in one place at one time it would be far one place at one time it would be far one place at one time it would be far easier to dictate policy than it would easier to dictate policy than it would easier to dictate policy than it would be if everyone had to be contacted be if everyone had to be contacted be if everyone had to be contacted individually so hopefully the imperial individually so hopefully the imperial individually so hopefully the imperial agents of the council would be able to agents of the council would be able to agents of the council would be able to direct the conversation make the direct the conversation make the direct the conversation make the position of the emperor clear and get position of the emperor clear and get position of the emperor clear and get everyone on board without having to everyone on board without having to everyone on board without having to resort to top- down commands that would resort to top- down commands that would resort to top- down commands that would alienate the nobility and Lead Gaul alienate the nobility and Lead Gaul alienate the nobility and Lead Gaul right back into Civil right back into Civil right back into Civil War gaining more control by acting less War gaining more control by acting less War gaining more control by acting less controlling it's a pretty neat trick if controlling it's a pretty neat trick if controlling it's a pretty neat trick if you you can get away with it with the Western Empire slowly it with the Western Empire slowly coalescing its way back into an orderly coalescing its way back into an orderly coalescing its way back into an orderly State the promise of more stability to State the promise of more stability to State the promise of more stability to come came in 419 when galapia gave birth come came in 419 when galapia gave birth come came in 419 when galapia gave birth to a healthy baby boy named flavius pdus to a healthy baby boy named flavius pdus to a healthy baby boy named flavius pdus valentinis the boy immediately became valentinis the boy immediately became valentinis the boy immediately became the heir presumptive to the throne of

the heir presumptive to the throne of the heir presumptive to the throne of the Western Empire and would remain as the Western Empire and would remain as the Western Empire and would remain as such unless hanor is plan to find such unless hanor is plan to find such unless hanor is plan to find himself a wife and make a baby which he himself a wife and make a baby which he himself a wife and make a baby which he had shown no interest in doing since he had shown no interest in doing since he had shown no interest in doing since he had divorced his last wife the daughter had divorced his last wife the daughter had divorced his last wife the daughter of Stilo back in 408 in the immediate of Stilo back in 408 in the immediate of Stilo back in 408 in the immediate aftermath of the Vandal General's aftermath of the Vandal General's aftermath of the Vandal General's fall for the record I don't really know fall for the record I don't really know fall for the record I don't really know what the story is with honorius love what the story is with honorius love what the story is with honorius love life and marital Arrangements but it is life and marital Arrangements but it is life and marital Arrangements but it is entirely possible that the emperor was entirely possible that the emperor was entirely possible that the emperor was impotent that is after all how his impotent that is after all how his impotent that is after all how his character and Reign are usually character and Reign are usually character and Reign are usually figuratively described so is it really figuratively described so is it really figuratively described so is it really so out there to speculate that he was so out there to speculate that he was so out there to speculate that he was literally so as literally so as literally so as well anyway with the birth of the baby well anyway with the birth of the baby well anyway with the birth of the baby history will come to know as valentinian history will come to know as valentinian history will come to know as valentinian III constantius his position at court III constantius his position at court III constantius his position at court was strengthened still further and in was strengthened still further and in was strengthened still further and in February of 421 honorius invited his February of 421 honorius invited his February of 421 honorius invited his favorite General to take the final favorite General to take the final favorite General to take the final step in a ceremony at Rena constantius step in a ceremony at Rena constantius step in a ceremony at Rena constantius was elevated to the rank of was elevated to the rank of was elevated to the rank of Augustus this elevation triggered a huge Augustus this elevation triggered a huge Augustus this elevation triggered a huge sigh of relief from across the Western sigh of relief from across the Western sigh of relief from across the Western Empire it is always unnerving to have to Empire it is always unnerving to have to Empire it is always unnerving to have to rely on deao power arrangements and once rely on deao power arrangements and once rely on deao power arrangements and once already an eminently capable de facto already an eminently capable de facto already an eminently capable de facto ruler namely spilo had been toppled by ruler namely spilo had been toppled by ruler namely spilo had been toppled by backstabbers at court a toppling which backstabbers at court a toppling which backstabbers at court a toppling which had turned out to have had pretty had turned out to have had pretty had turned out to have had pretty disastrous consequences for the disastrous consequences for the disastrous consequences for the Empire better to just have your

Empire better to just have your Empire better to just have your strongest most capable leader be emperor strongest most capable leader be emperor strongest most capable leader be emperor and now constantius was just and now constantius was just and now constantius was just that just as the valentinian dynasty had that just as the valentinian dynasty had that just as the valentinian dynasty had been strengthened by the admittance of been strengthened by the admittance of been strengthened by the admittance of theodus so too would the theodocian theodus so too would the theodocian theodus so too would the theodocian dynasty be strengthened by the dynasty be strengthened by the dynasty be strengthened by the admittance of constantius admittance of constantius admittance of constantius III this was a win-win for everyone so III this was a win-win for everyone so III this was a win-win for everyone so who could possibly be opposed to this who could possibly be opposed to this who could possibly be opposed to this awesome awesome awesome plan well how about the eastern Emperor plan well how about the eastern Emperor plan well how about the eastern Emperor theodus II now it's been a couple of episodes since now it's been a couple of episodes since our increasingly Western focused History our increasingly Western focused History our increasingly Western focused History of Rome has headed east so let's go back of Rome has headed east so let's go back of Rome has headed east so let's go back and bring them up to speed so we can try and bring them up to speed so we can try and bring them up to speed so we can try to make sense of their refusal to accept to make sense of their refusal to accept to make sense of their refusal to accept the elevation of constantius III to the purple when last we left them it was purple when last we left them it was around 4:08 arcadius had just died his around 4:08 arcadius had just died his around 4:08 arcadius had just died his 7-year-old son theodosius II had 7-year-old son theodosius II had 7-year-old son theodosius II had succeeded him but Power really rested in succeeded him but Power really rested in succeeded him but Power really rested in the hands of the capable petorian the hands of the capable petorian the hands of the capable petorian prefect and than prefect and than prefect and than Theus with a boy emperor in charge of Theus with a boy emperor in charge of Theus with a boy emperor in charge of Constantinople the hunk King Olden you Constantinople the hunk King Olden you Constantinople the hunk King Olden you remember him the guy who had caused remember him the guy who had caused remember him the guy who had caused ragus as Goths to attempt an invasion of ragus as Goths to attempt an invasion of ragus as Goths to attempt an invasion of Italy in 405 rather than submit to his Italy in 405 rather than submit to his Italy in 405 rather than submit to his rule yeah rule yeah rule yeah him Olden took the arrival of a boy him Olden took the arrival of a boy him Olden took the arrival of a boy Emperor as a sign that it was high time Emperor as a sign that it was high time Emperor as a sign that it was high time for him to make a play for control over for him to make a play for control over for him to make a play for control over Roman lands south of the

Roman lands south of the Roman lands south of the danu so in 408 or 409 he invaded danu so in 408 or 409 he invaded danu so in 408 or 409 he invaded moia except yeah just because young moia except yeah just because young moia except yeah just because young theodosius was technically emperor that theodosius was technically emperor that theodosius was technically emperor that did not mean that the kid was actually did not mean that the kid was actually did not mean that the kid was actually calling the shots anthemus was and calling the shots anthemus was and calling the shots anthemus was and anthemus quickly and efficiently anthemus quickly and efficiently anthemus quickly and efficiently directed A Counterattack pushing Olden directed A Counterattack pushing Olden directed A Counterattack pushing Olden back across the river before the year back across the river before the year back across the river before the year was was was out coming off this Victory anthemus out coming off this Victory anthemus out coming off this Victory anthemus received news that was perhaps even received news that was perhaps even received news that was perhaps even better than the news that the Huns were better than the news that the Huns were better than the news that the Huns were fleeing moesia fleeing moesia fleeing moesia the ongoing negotiations between the the ongoing negotiations between the the ongoing negotiations between the Romans and cids had concluded Romans and cids had concluded Romans and cids had concluded successfully and a treaty had been successfully and a treaty had been successfully and a treaty had been signed the Far Eastern Front was now signed the Far Eastern Front was now signed the Far Eastern Front was now secure if Olden thought he detected secure if Olden thought he detected secure if Olden thought he detected weakness in the Romans boy did he ever weakness in the Romans boy did he ever weakness in the Romans boy did he ever read that wrong Constantinople was now read that wrong Constantinople was now read that wrong Constantinople was now stronger than ever and free to transfer stronger than ever and free to transfer stronger than ever and free to transfer resources from Syria to the danu to resources from Syria to the danu to resources from Syria to the danu to reinforce the northern line reinforce the northern line reinforce the northern line Olden was kept bottled up on his side of Olden was kept bottled up on his side of Olden was kept bottled up on his side of the river until his death in the river until his death in the river until his death in 413 his dreams of controlling all the 413 his dreams of controlling all the 413 his dreams of controlling all the land under the sun unfulfilled his death was greeted in unfulfilled his death was greeted in Constantinople with delight doubly so Constantinople with delight doubly so Constantinople with delight doubly so because the Huns Olden had United were because the Huns Olden had United were because the Huns Olden had United were not so United without him and they not so United without him and they not so United without him and they splintered into three splintered into three splintered into three factions and I don't need to tell you factions and I don't need to tell you factions and I don't need to tell you that man the less unified the Huns the

that man the less unified the Huns the that man the less unified the Huns the better after the Huns were repelled and the after the Huns were repelled and the treaty was signed anthemus turned his treaty was signed anthemus turned his treaty was signed anthemus turned his attention to domestic matters and attention to domestic matters and attention to domestic matters and focused on reorganizing the supply chain focused on reorganizing the supply chain focused on reorganizing the supply chain that kept Constantinople fed with grain that kept Constantinople fed with grain that kept Constantinople fed with grain from from from Egypt 409 had seen yet another shortfall Egypt 409 had seen yet another shortfall Egypt 409 had seen yet another shortfall of grain and a brief famine of grain and a brief famine of grain and a brief famine resulted but this famine was not caused resulted but this famine was not caused resulted but this famine was not caused by a grain shortage so much as by an by a grain shortage so much as by an by a grain shortage so much as by an available transport vessel shortage available transport vessel shortage available transport vessel shortage so anthemus expanded the fleet and so anthemus expanded the fleet and so anthemus expanded the fleet and offered tax breaks to Merchants who offered tax breaks to Merchants who offered tax breaks to Merchants who brought grain to the brought grain to the brought grain to the city as soon as the bread was flowing city as soon as the bread was flowing city as soon as the bread was flowing again the prefect started directing again the prefect started directing again the prefect started directing portions of the incoming grain to be set portions of the incoming grain to be set portions of the incoming grain to be set aside in an emergency supply to help aside in an emergency supply to help aside in an emergency supply to help bridge the gap in case there was a True bridge the gap in case there was a True bridge the gap in case there was a True Grain shortage in the Grain shortage in the Grain shortage in the future anthemus managed to survive long future anthemus managed to survive long future anthemus managed to survive long enough to see the completion of the enough to see the completion of the enough to see the completion of the theodocian walls in theodocian walls in theodocian walls in 413 but by 4:14 he suddenly disappears 413 but by 4:14 he suddenly disappears 413 but by 4:14 he suddenly disappears from the historical record without any from the historical record without any from the historical record without any note of how or when he might have note of how or when he might have note of how or when he might have died which is too bad because men like died which is too bad because men like died which is too bad because men like anthemus deserve better from anthemus deserve better from anthemus deserve better from history and maybe history felt bad for history and maybe history felt bad for history and maybe history felt bad for just erasing him like that because as we just erasing him like that because as we just erasing him like that because as we will see perhaps in compensation will see perhaps in compensation will see perhaps in compensation anthemius is grandson also named anthemius is grandson also named anthemius is grandson also named anthemius will rise to become emperor of anthemius will rise to become emperor of anthemius will rise to become emperor of the Western Empire serving from 46 7 to

the Western Empire serving from 46 7 to the Western Empire serving from 46 7 to 472 and earning a reputation as the last 472 and earning a reputation as the last 472 and earning a reputation as the last competent emperor of the Western Empire upon anthemus his death or at Empire upon anthemus his death or at least presumed death Elia Pia the elder least presumed death Elia Pia the elder least presumed death Elia Pia the elder sister of 13-year-old theodosius II who sister of 13-year-old theodosius II who sister of 13-year-old theodosius II who I briefly mentioned last week stepped in I briefly mentioned last week stepped in I briefly mentioned last week stepped in and assumed the Regency of the Eastern and assumed the Regency of the Eastern and assumed the Regency of the Eastern Empire which is kind of a crazy Empire which is kind of a crazy Empire which is kind of a crazy development since Pia was only 15 years development since Pia was only 15 years development since Pia was only 15 years old old old herself but apparently this teenage girl herself but apparently this teenage girl herself but apparently this teenage girl was so remarkably self assured that she was so remarkably self assured that she was so remarkably self assured that she was able to bend the Imperial Court of was able to bend the Imperial Court of was able to bend the Imperial Court of Constantinople to her will despite the Constantinople to her will despite the Constantinople to her will despite the handicap of being well a 15-year-old handicap of being well a 15-year-old handicap of being well a 15-year-old girl at a time when I can't imagine the girl at a time when I can't imagine the girl at a time when I can't imagine the will of a 15-year-old girl counted for will of a 15-year-old girl counted for will of a 15-year-old girl counted for much she had herself declared austa and much she had herself declared austa and much she had herself declared austa and then took a famous vow of virginity then took a famous vow of virginity then took a famous vow of virginity ordering her two younger sisters to fall ordering her two younger sisters to fall ordering her two younger sisters to fall follow follow follow suit there are two intertwined suit there are two intertwined suit there are two intertwined explanations for the vow of explanations for the vow of explanations for the vow of virginity the first being that all three virginity the first being that all three virginity the first being that all three sisters were deeply religious and sisters were deeply religious and sisters were deeply religious and embraced a monastic lifestyle that was embraced a monastic lifestyle that was embraced a monastic lifestyle that was not just limited to sex and not just limited to sex and not just limited to sex and marriage unlike their mother who was marriage unlike their mother who was marriage unlike their mother who was extravagant to the point of Scandal Pia extravagant to the point of Scandal Pia extravagant to the point of Scandal Pia and her sisters were the exact opposite and her sisters were the exact opposite and her sisters were the exact opposite removing all the finery Elia udia had removing all the finery Elia udia had removing all the finery Elia udia had collected and adopting plain clothes and

collected and adopting plain clothes and collected and adopting plain clothes and simple simple simple food but the other reason for The Vow food but the other reason for The Vow food but the other reason for The Vow was more practical from the standpoint was more practical from the standpoint was more practical from the standpoint of an ambitious young of an ambitious young of an ambitious young woman marriage meant that she would be woman marriage meant that she would be woman marriage meant that she would be subordinated to a husband and possibly subordinated to a husband and possibly subordinated to a husband and possibly lose all her power and lose all her power and lose all her power and influence by remaining single she influence by remaining single she influence by remaining single she ensured her independence would not be ensured her independence would not be ensured her independence would not be curtailed and it never was she would curtailed and it never was she would curtailed and it never was she would remain a powerful Center of political remain a powerful Center of political remain a powerful Center of political gravity until her death in 453 which more or less brings us up to 453 which more or less brings us up to February February February 421 when word came over from the West 421 when word came over from the West 421 when word came over from the West that Uncle honorius had gone ahead and that Uncle honorius had gone ahead and that Uncle honorius had gone ahead and elevated the general constantius to elevated the general constantius to elevated the general constantius to Imperial Imperial Imperial rank now there is very little rank now there is very little rank now there is very little explanation for why the court of explanation for why the court of explanation for why the court of Constantinople refused to recognize his Constantinople refused to recognize his Constantinople refused to recognize his elevation but I would speculate that the elevation but I would speculate that the elevation but I would speculate that the little click of Imperial siblings were little click of Imperial siblings were little click of Imperial siblings were protective of the rights of the blood protective of the rights of the blood protective of the rights of the blood family family family pulcheria especially might have felt pulcheria especially might have felt pulcheria especially might have felt protective as it is likely she had been protective as it is likely she had been protective as it is likely she had been propositioned by anthemus to marry one propositioned by anthemus to marry one propositioned by anthemus to marry one of his sons as a way to insert anthemus of his sons as a way to insert anthemus of his sons as a way to insert anthemus into the royal into the royal into the royal family ferot had rebuffed these advances family ferot had rebuffed these advances family ferot had rebuffed these advances and likely saw them as the first step in and likely saw them as the first step in and likely saw them as the first step in a possible plan for anthemus to receive a possible plan for anthemus to receive a possible plan for anthemus to receive just the kind of Imperial promotion just the kind of Imperial promotion just the kind of Imperial promotion constantius was now receiving and she constantius was now receiving and she constantius was now receiving and she didn't like it one didn't like it one didn't like it one bit the infant valentinian III had a bit the infant valentinian III had a bit the infant valentinian III had a valid claim to the throne but

valid claim to the throne but valid claim to the throne but constantius a common soldier from Alyria constantius a common soldier from Alyria constantius a common soldier from Alyria not so much so the Eastern Court refused not so much so the Eastern Court refused not so much so the Eastern Court refused to accept him into their version of the to accept him into their version of the to accept him into their version of the Imperial College while they waited to see how College while they waited to see how constantius and hus would react to this constantius and hus would react to this constantius and hus would react to this rebuffing pulcheria and theodosius rebuffing pulcheria and theodosius rebuffing pulcheria and theodosius arranged to expand their purer version arranged to expand their purer version arranged to expand their purer version of the theodocian household by locating of the theodocian household by locating of the theodocian household by locating a proper wife for the now 20-year-old a proper wife for the now 20-year-old a proper wife for the now 20-year-old Eastern emperor Eastern emperor Eastern emperor but according to Legend theodus was not but according to Legend theodus was not but according to Legend theodus was not interested in a well-thought-out interested in a well-thought-out interested in a well-thought-out political marriage to some wealthy political marriage to some wealthy political marriage to some wealthy Senator daughter he wanted quote a young Senator daughter he wanted quote a young Senator daughter he wanted quote a young girl very comely the most beautiful ever girl very comely the most beautiful ever girl very comely the most beautiful ever seen in Constantinople of royal or seen in Constantinople of royal or seen in Constantinople of royal or Patrician family and if she isn't Patrician family and if she isn't Patrician family and if she isn't marvelously good-looking I have no use marvelously good-looking I have no use marvelously good-looking I have no use for her however worthy or Royal or Rich for her however worthy or Royal or Rich for her however worthy or Royal or Rich she may be but whoever was her father if she may be but whoever was her father if she may be but whoever was her father if she is a virgin and very so good to look she is a virgin and very so good to look she is a virgin and very so good to look at I will take at I will take at I will take her 20-year-old boys what are you going her 20-year-old boys what are you going her 20-year-old boys what are you going to to to do so when a young Greek girl named do so when a young Greek girl named do so when a young Greek girl named athenais arrived in Constantinople to athenais arrived in Constantinople to athenais arrived in Constantinople to beg Justice from the emperor after beg Justice from the emperor after beg Justice from the emperor after getting more or less left out of her getting more or less left out of her getting more or less left out of her father's will despite being unmarried father's will despite being unmarried father's will despite being unmarried Elia Bia took one look at her and knew Elia Bia took one look at her and knew Elia Bia took one look at her and knew that she had her that she had her that she had her girl theodus and athenus were wed in girl theodus and athenus were wed in girl theodus and athenus were wed in June of June of June of 421 no great alliances were formed no

421 no great alliances were formed no 421 no great alliances were formed no peace was settled but hey at least she peace was settled but hey at least she peace was settled but hey at least she was hot back in Rena constantius his hot back in Rena constantius his reaction to the rebuffing was exactly reaction to the rebuffing was exactly reaction to the rebuffing was exactly what you might expect he was what you might expect he was what you might expect he was Furious who did these Punk kids over in Furious who did these Punk kids over in Furious who did these Punk kids over in Constantinople think they were were Constantinople think they were were Constantinople think they were were there seriously no adults in charge over there seriously no adults in charge over there seriously no adults in charge over there did they not realize that hanus there did they not realize that hanus there did they not realize that hanus was lazy indifferent and probably kind was lazy indifferent and probably kind was lazy indifferent and probably kind of a of a of a constantius becoming Emperor was a constantius becoming Emperor was a constantius becoming Emperor was a really good thing not just for him but really good thing not just for him but really good thing not just for him but for for for everyone in the 10 years or so since everyone in the 10 years or so since everyone in the 10 years or so since Stilo had died relations between East Stilo had died relations between East Stilo had died relations between East and West had improved quite a bit and and West had improved quite a bit and and West had improved quite a bit and themus even sent troops to reinforce hus themus even sent troops to reinforce hus themus even sent troops to reinforce hus during Rena's Darkest Hour when they during Rena's Darkest Hour when they during Rena's Darkest Hour when they were menaced by both Aller and were menaced by both Aller and were menaced by both Aller and Constantine Constantine Constantine thei but the refusal to recognize thei but the refusal to recognize thei but the refusal to recognize constantius blew everything up again constantius blew everything up again constantius blew everything up again and ever the military man in the Autumn and ever the military man in the Autumn and ever the military man in the Autumn of 421 constantius began to prepare for of 421 constantius began to prepare for of 421 constantius began to prepare for war or at least make it look like he was war or at least make it look like he was war or at least make it look like he was preparing for war in order to shake some preparing for war in order to shake some preparing for war in order to shake some scent into those no good kids running scent into those no good kids running scent into those no good kids running Constantinople we'll never quite be sure Constantinople we'll never quite be sure Constantinople we'll never quite be sure if he was really planning to March over if he was really planning to March over if he was really planning to March over to Constantinople and win recognition to Constantinople and win recognition to Constantinople and win recognition with the business end of his spear with the business end of his spear with the business end of his spear because in 421 the newly minted because in 421 the newly minted because in 421 the newly minted co-emperor of the West fell over dead he co-emperor of the West fell over dead he co-emperor of the West fell over dead he had reigned for just 7

had reigned for just 7 had reigned for just 7 months the Empire lost an eminently months the Empire lost an eminently months the Empire lost an eminently capable leader which was bad but also capable leader which was bad but also capable leader which was bad but also possibly just missed a civil war between possibly just missed a civil war between possibly just missed a civil war between East and West which was good next week with honorius continuing good next week with honorius continuing to just sort of lounge around in Rena to just sort of lounge around in Rena to just sort of lounge around in Rena like the world's best dressed couch like the world's best dressed couch like the world's best dressed couch potato and the kids in Constantinople potato and the kids in Constantinople potato and the kids in Constantinople playing in the deep end without playing in the deep end without playing in the deep end without supervision things will get a little supervision things will get a little supervision things will get a little dicey for the Roman dicey for the Roman dicey for the Roman Empire theodosius II for example is Empire theodosius II for example is Empire theodosius II for example is about to Chuck the recently signed about to Chuck the recently signed about to Chuck the recently signed treaty with Persia that kept the Far treaty with Persia that kept the Far treaty with Persia that kept the Far East at peace and attempt to start a war East at peace and attempt to start a war East at peace and attempt to start a war with the with the with the sanit this war will only be called off sanit this war will only be called off sanit this war will only be called off on account of a renewed hunk threat to on account of a renewed hunk threat to on account of a renewed hunk threat to Constantinople which is duh exactly why Constantinople which is duh exactly why Constantinople which is duh exactly why you don't piss off the cids at this you don't piss off the cids at this you don't piss off the cids at this point in point in point in history in 423 history in 423 history in 423 orius will finally do something orius will finally do something orius will finally do something worthwhile and die but with constantius worthwhile and die but with constantius worthwhile and die but with constantius dead and valentinian theii just 2 years dead and valentinian theii just 2 years dead and valentinian theii just 2 years old um who's going to lead the Western old um who's going to lead the Western old um who's going to lead the Western Empire does anyone know anyone hello is Empire does anyone know anyone hello is Empire does anyone know anyone hello is this thing on this thing on this thing on [Music]

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 167 exploiting the Rome episode 167 exploiting the Rome episode 167 exploiting the [Music] [Music] [Music] opportunity 4 21 was a busy year for the opportunity 4 21 was a busy year for the opportunity 4 21 was a busy year for the Roman Empire the great General Roman Empire the great General Roman Empire the great General constantius III had been elevated to the constantius III had been elevated to the constantius III had been elevated to the rank of co- Augustus in the west nearly rank of co- Augustus in the west nearly rank of co- Augustus in the west nearly launched an invasion of the East to launched an invasion of the East to launched an invasion of the East to defend his claim to the throne and then defend his claim to the throne and then defend his claim to the throne and then keeled over dead before winter set keeled over dead before winter set keeled over dead before winter set in his wouldbe opponent in a nearly Miss in his wouldbe opponent in a nearly Miss in his wouldbe opponent in a nearly Miss Civil War theodosius II had gotten Civil War theodosius II had gotten Civil War theodosius II had gotten married and then almost immediately married and then almost immediately married and then almost immediately announced that his new wife who had announced that his new wife who had announced that his new wife who had changed her name to Ilia udia upon changed her name to Ilia udia upon changed her name to Ilia udia upon marriage was pregnant with the heir to marriage was pregnant with the heir to marriage was pregnant with the heir to the east Eastern the east Eastern the east Eastern throne but as these domestic Imperial throne but as these domestic Imperial throne but as these domestic Imperial squabbles and celebrations were playing squabbles and celebrations were playing squabbles and celebrations were playing out events in the faries threatened to out events in the faries threatened to out events in the faries threatened to overshadow overshadow overshadow everything in early 421 the king of the everything in early 421 the king of the everything in early 421 the king of the cits a moderate benevolent and cits a moderate benevolent and cits a moderate benevolent and well-respected leader named yaser well-respected leader named yaser well-respected leader named yaser suddenly suddenly suddenly died he had ruled since late 399 and died he had ruled since late 399 and died he had ruled since late 399 and among the great political Feats to his among the great political Feats to his among the great political Feats to his credit was the fact that he had been the credit was the fact that he had been the credit was the fact that he had been the prime mover behind the peace talks with prime mover behind the peace talks with prime mover behind the peace talks with Rome that had concluded with the signing Rome that had concluded with the signing Rome that had concluded with the signing of a treaty in of a treaty in of a treaty in 409 yaser was succeeded by his son bam 409 yaser was succeeded by his son bam 409 yaser was succeeded by his son bam the 5th who unfortunately adopted a far the 5th who unfortunately adopted a far the 5th who unfortunately adopted a far less conciliatory posture and upon his less conciliatory posture and upon his less conciliatory posture and upon his Ascension he immediately launched a Ascension he immediately launched a Ascension he immediately launched a program of persecution against any Roman program of persecution against any Roman program of persecution against any Roman citizen or any Christian Living in his

citizen or any Christian Living in his citizen or any Christian Living in his kingdom as he viewed both as potential kingdom as he viewed both as potential kingdom as he viewed both as potential fifth columnist preparing to fatally fifth columnist preparing to fatally fifth columnist preparing to fatally weaken the saned weaken the saned weaken the saned empire this immediate option of empire this immediate option of empire this immediate option of anti-roman anti-christian policies was anti-roman anti-christian policies was anti-roman anti-christian policies was unfortunate all on its own but it was unfortunate all on its own but it was unfortunate all on its own but it was doubly unfortunate because of who doubly unfortunate because of who doubly unfortunate because of who happened to be ruling the Eastern Roman happened to be ruling the Eastern Roman happened to be ruling the Eastern Roman Empire at that exact Empire at that exact Empire at that exact moment as we touched on last week Ilia moment as we touched on last week Ilia moment as we touched on last week Ilia pulcheria who was enormously influential pulcheria who was enormously influential pulcheria who was enormously influential at this point in her brother's Reign was at this point in her brother's Reign was at this point in her brother's Reign was a devout Nan Christian and her a devout Nan Christian and her a devout Nan Christian and her particular brand of devotion was not particular brand of devotion was not particular brand of devotion was not limited to the admirable bits about limited to the admirable bits about limited to the admirable bits about inward Y and outward promotion of inward Y and outward promotion of inward Y and outward promotion of beliefs no it also included the far less beliefs no it also included the far less beliefs no it also included the far less admirable bit about persecuting those admirable bit about persecuting those admirable bit about persecuting those who do not share your who do not share your who do not share your beliefs she despised pagans Jews and beliefs she despised pagans Jews and beliefs she despised pagans Jews and Heretics and took active steps to make Heretics and took active steps to make Heretics and took active steps to make sure that they knew exactly how she sure that they knew exactly how she sure that they knew exactly how she felt for example construction of new felt for example construction of new felt for example construction of new synagogues was banned and in areas where synagogues was banned and in areas where synagogues was banned and in areas where it could be gotten away with without too it could be gotten away with without too it could be gotten away with without too much civil unrest existing synagogues much civil unrest existing synagogues much civil unrest existing synagogues were torn were torn were torn down aans for the first time were down aans for the first time were down aans for the first time were officially barred from holding public officially barred from holding public officially barred from holding public office or serving in the office or serving in the office or serving in the military up until now ambitious military up until now ambitious military up until now ambitious bureaucrats and soldiers had faced bureaucrats and soldiers had faced bureaucrats and soldiers had faced intense peer pressure to convert to intense peer pressure to convert to intense peer pressure to convert to Christianity and at times those who Christianity and at times those who Christianity and at times those who resisted were denied promotion or given resisted were denied promotion or given resisted were denied promotion or given crappy assignments but there had never crappy assignments but there had never crappy assignments but there had never been an outright ban on pagans serving been an outright ban on pagans serving been an outright ban on pagans serving the state Elia pulcheria ensured that

the state Elia pulcheria ensured that the state Elia pulcheria ensured that such a ban was now firmly in such a ban was now firmly in such a ban was now firmly in place so just at the moment when an place so just at the moment when an place so just at the moment when an anti-christian King was coming to power anti-christian King was coming to power anti-christian King was coming to power in Persia a fervently pro-christian in Persia a fervently pro-christian in Persia a fervently pro-christian Augusta was controlling the Eastern Augusta was controlling the Eastern Augusta was controlling the Eastern Empire when she found out that the Empire when she found out that the Empire when she found out that the Heathen King of the cits was persecuting Heathen King of the cits was persecuting Heathen King of the cits was persecuting her religious Brethren she pressed her religious Brethren she pressed her religious Brethren she pressed theodus II to do something about it theodus II to do something about it theodus II to do something about it theodosius responded by hinting to baram theodosius responded by hinting to baram theodosius responded by hinting to baram as Constantine had once hinted to shapur as Constantine had once hinted to shapur as Constantine had once hinted to shapur back in back in back in 336 that as the leader of world 336 that as the leader of world 336 that as the leader of world Christianity the government of Christianity the government of Christianity the government of Constantinople would take any and all Constantinople would take any and all Constantinople would take any and all steps necessary to protect the lives steps necessary to protect the lives steps necessary to protect the lives property and rights of Christians property and rights of Christians property and rights of Christians wherever they may dwell baham responded wherever they may dwell baham responded wherever they may dwell baham responded to this threat to his sovereignty by to this threat to his sovereignty by to this threat to his sovereignty by launching a unilateral attack on Roman launching a unilateral attack on Roman launching a unilateral attack on Roman held territory along the border between held territory along the border between held territory along the border between the two great Empires theodosius ordered the two great Empires theodosius ordered the two great Empires theodosius ordered his Generals in Syria to return fire and his Generals in Syria to return fire and his Generals in Syria to return fire and just like that Rome and Persia were at just like that Rome and Persia were at just like that Rome and Persia were at War again I do so love it when War again I do so love it when War again I do so love it when inflexible people get together like that inflexible people get together like that inflexible people get together like that and really just do the right thing for and really just do the right thing for and really just do the right thing for everyone luckily for everyone the war did not luckily for everyone the war did not last long the advancing Persian army was last long the advancing Persian army was last long the advancing Persian army was driven back by the Romans who then driven back by the Romans who then driven back by the Romans who then proceeded to lay Siege to nisus until a proceeded to lay Siege to nisus until a proceeded to lay Siege to nisus until a reinforced Persian army arrived to reinforced Persian army arrived to reinforced Persian army arrived to relieve the city and the Romans relieve the city and the Romans relieve the city and the Romans retreated hostilities continued into retreated hostilities continued into retreated hostilities continued into 422 but by then it appears that the 422 but by then it appears that the 422 but by then it appears that the leadership of both Empires realized what

leadership of both Empires realized what leadership of both Empires realized what a hopeless waste of time and resources a hopeless waste of time and resources a hopeless waste of time and resources this pointless little war was the land this pointless little war was the land this pointless little war was the land the CIT had typically fought for in the the CIT had typically fought for in the the CIT had typically fought for in the past had been seated by the Romans way past had been seated by the Romans way past had been seated by the Romans way back in the aftermath of Julian The back in the aftermath of Julian The back in the aftermath of Julian The apostates Invasion so bam was pressing apostates Invasion so bam was pressing apostates Invasion so bam was pressing for lands he had almost no political or for lands he had almost no political or for lands he had almost no political or cultural claim to the Romans meanwhile cultural claim to the Romans meanwhile cultural claim to the Romans meanwhile who would have probably liked to renew who would have probably liked to renew who would have probably liked to renew their long abandoned forward bases in their long abandoned forward bases in their long abandoned forward bases in Mesopotamia were suddenly faced with a Mesopotamia were suddenly faced with a Mesopotamia were suddenly faced with a more dire threat from the north the Huns more dire threat from the north the Huns more dire threat from the north the Huns were once again crossing the danu into were once again crossing the danu into were once again crossing the danu into imperial imperial imperial territory so cooler heads prevailed and territory so cooler heads prevailed and territory so cooler heads prevailed and in 422 the peace treaty between Rome and in 422 the peace treaty between Rome and in 422 the peace treaty between Rome and Persia was renewed on the same terms Persia was renewed on the same terms Persia was renewed on the same terms that had existed before the recent that had existed before the recent that had existed before the recent hostilities had begun luckily for Constantinople the begun luckily for Constantinople the Huns had not regained the sort of unity Huns had not regained the sort of unity Huns had not regained the sort of unity alen had been able to forge and this alen had been able to forge and this alen had been able to forge and this latest hunt invasion was driven back latest hunt invasion was driven back latest hunt invasion was driven back with if not ease then at least not too with if not ease then at least not too with if not ease then at least not too much difficulty but though both the much difficulty but though both the much difficulty but though both the major hunt incursions into Roman major hunt incursions into Roman major hunt incursions into Roman territory had ultimately been turned territory had ultimately been turned territory had ultimately been turned back it was clear that the Huns could back it was clear that the Huns could back it was clear that the Huns could not be not be not be ignored disunited they were an ignored disunited they were an ignored disunited they were an exhausting foe who would require copious exhausting foe who would require copious exhausting foe who would require copious amounts of Roman blood and treasure to amounts of Roman blood and treasure to amounts of Roman blood and treasure to keep at Bay hence the belated keep at Bay hence the belated keep at Bay hence the belated realization that oh my God we really realization that oh my God we really realization that oh my God we really can't afford a war with the can't afford a war with the can't afford a war with the cits cits cits united united well there was a very real united united well there was a very real united united well there was a very real fear in the court of Constantinople that

fear in the court of Constantinople that fear in the court of Constantinople that the Romans would not be able to turn the the Romans would not be able to turn the the Romans would not be able to turn the Huns back while the ministers and Generals of the while the ministers and Generals of the Eastern Empire wrestled with what to do Eastern Empire wrestled with what to do Eastern Empire wrestled with what to do about the Huns theodosius II received a about the Huns theodosius II received a about the Huns theodosius II received a surprising letter from his cousin in surprising letter from his cousin in surprising letter from his cousin in Rena not his fellow Emperor hanus mind Rena not his fellow Emperor hanus mind Rena not his fellow Emperor hanus mind you but the Western Emperor's sister the you but the Western Emperor's sister the you but the Western Emperor's sister the recently widowed recently widowed recently widowed galapia the letter said simply that she galapia the letter said simply that she galapia the letter said simply that she would be leaving the west and traveling would be leaving the west and traveling would be leaving the west and traveling to Constantinople where she hoped that to Constantinople where she hoped that to Constantinople where she hoped that she and her children would be welcomed she and her children would be welcomed she and her children would be welcomed with allue hospitality we do not have a rock solid explanation we do not have a rock solid explanation for gallia's decision to suddenly leave for gallia's decision to suddenly leave for gallia's decision to suddenly leave Rena but clearly there had been some Rena but clearly there had been some Rena but clearly there had been some sort of falling out between her and her sort of falling out between her and her sort of falling out between her and her brother and it is sometimes suggested brother and it is sometimes suggested brother and it is sometimes suggested that hus had recently begun making UNT that hus had recently begun making UNT that hus had recently begun making UNT advances on his sister if you catch my advances on his sister if you catch my advances on his sister if you catch my drift it is further noted that this drift it is further noted that this drift it is further noted that this quarrel at the top of the Imperial food quarrel at the top of the Imperial food quarrel at the top of the Imperial food chain was being felt up and down the chain was being felt up and down the chain was being felt up and down the ranks ranks ranks as I've mentioned and as we'll see again as I've mentioned and as we'll see again as I've mentioned and as we'll see again pdia had begun Gathering up an enormous pdia had begun Gathering up an enormous pdia had begun Gathering up an enormous amount of influence for herself and she amount of influence for herself and she amount of influence for herself and she was especially venerated by the was especially venerated by the was especially venerated by the auxiliary Goths stationed in Rena who auxiliary Goths stationed in Rena who auxiliary Goths stationed in Rena who still saw her as something like their still saw her as something like their still saw her as something like their Queen so when rumors of Pia's honor Queen so when rumors of Pia's honor Queen so when rumors of Pia's honor being threatened began to circulate her being threatened began to circulate her being threatened began to circulate her supporters were quick to make threats of supporters were quick to make threats of supporters were quick to make threats of their their their own so it could be that hus was actually

own so it could be that hus was actually own so it could be that hus was actually exiling her to diffuse the situation or exiling her to diffuse the situation or exiling her to diffuse the situation or that was leaving because she realized that was leaving because she realized that was leaving because she realized she had become a focal point for she had become a focal point for she had become a focal point for possible possible possible violence it is also possible that after violence it is also possible that after violence it is also possible that after a decade spent as a hostage and a a decade spent as a hostage and a a decade spent as a hostage and a political asset to be ordered around at political asset to be ordered around at political asset to be ordered around at will the princess was simply looking to will the princess was simply looking to will the princess was simply looking to break free and establish her break free and establish her break free and establish her independence whatever the real reason independence whatever the real reason independence whatever the real reason pdia and her two children four-year-old pdia and her two children four-year-old pdia and her two children four-year-old hanor and 3-year-old valentinia III hanor and 3-year-old valentinia III hanor and 3-year-old valentinia III sailed for Constantinople either in late sailed for Constantinople either in late sailed for Constantinople either in late 422 or when spring arrived in 423 422 or when spring arrived in 423 422 or when spring arrived in 423 their timing could not have been worse when they arrived in the East worse when they arrived in the East though everything was still a okay and though everything was still a okay and though everything was still a okay and they discovered that the extended they discovered that the extended they discovered that the extended Imperial family had grown yet again as Imperial family had grown yet again as Imperial family had grown yet again as Elia udia had given birth to a healthy Elia udia had given birth to a healthy Elia udia had given birth to a healthy baby girl named lysia udia who would baby girl named lysia udia who would baby girl named lysia udia who would wind up being the only surviving child wind up being the only surviving child wind up being the only surviving child of the Eastern Emperor theodosius of the Eastern Emperor theodosius of the Eastern Emperor theodosius II as soon as she was born the older II as soon as she was born the older II as soon as she was born the older members of the theodocian household got members of the theodocian household got members of the theodocian household got together and agreed that when they came together and agreed that when they came together and agreed that when they came of age that the newborn lysia would of age that the newborn lysia would of age that the newborn lysia would marry her second cousin valentinian III marry her second cousin valentinian III marry her second cousin valentinian III arcing the family back in on itself much arcing the family back in on itself much arcing the family back in on itself much as the Julio claudians had once so often as the Julio claudians had once so often as the Julio claudians had once so often done while the East was consumed with done while the East was consumed with done while the East was consumed with shutting down the war with Persia and shutting down the war with Persia and shutting down the war with Persia and deflecting the southbound thrust of the deflecting the southbound thrust of the deflecting the southbound thrust of the Huns and galapia was consumed with Huns and galapia was consumed with Huns and galapia was consumed with trying to escape the oppressive trying to escape the oppressive trying to escape the oppressive atmosphere of Renna the army of the West atmosphere of Renna the army of the West atmosphere of Renna the army of the West was consumed with dramas of its own

was consumed with dramas of its own was consumed with dramas of its own since 4:11 the Western Legions had been since 4:11 the Western Legions had been since 4:11 the Western Legions had been unified in form and Purpose By The Iron unified in form and Purpose By The Iron unified in form and Purpose By The Iron Will of constantius III but now that he Will of constantius III but now that he Will of constantius III but now that he was dead that Unity began to was dead that Unity began to was dead that Unity began to unravel specifically there were two unravel specifically there were two unravel specifically there were two officers who had been one step below officers who had been one step below officers who had been one step below constantius III in the chain of command constantius III in the chain of command constantius III in the chain of command and who might reasonably presume that and who might reasonably presume that and who might reasonably presume that their General's death meant that they their General's death meant that they their General's death meant that they would rise to fill his would rise to fill his would rise to fill his shoes unfortunately these two officers shoes unfortunately these two officers shoes unfortunately these two officers castus and bonasus castus and bonasus castus and bonasus hated each other's guts which no is not hated each other's guts which no is not hated each other's guts which no is not good for good for good for anyone the depth of their enmity became anyone the depth of their enmity became anyone the depth of their enmity became known as soon as constantius was out of known as soon as constantius was out of known as soon as constantius was out of the picture in 422 the forces of the the picture in 422 the forces of the the picture in 422 the forces of the West were ready to make a concerted push West were ready to make a concerted push West were ready to make a concerted push into hispania to defeat the Vandal Army into hispania to defeat the Vandal Army into hispania to defeat the Vandal Army led by gundrick led by gundrick led by gundrick castus Led one branch of the Roman army castus Led one branch of the Roman army castus Led one branch of the Roman army composed primarily of Gothic auxiliaries composed primarily of Gothic auxiliaries composed primarily of Gothic auxiliaries while bonasus LED another Branch while bonasus LED another Branch while bonasus LED another Branch composed mostly of regular Le composed mostly of regular Le composed mostly of regular Le legionaries as soon as they were in legionaries as soon as they were in legionaries as soon as they were in country however it became clear that the country however it became clear that the country however it became clear that the two Roman generals were incapable of two Roman generals were incapable of two Roman generals were incapable of working together they squabbled over working together they squabbled over working together they squabbled over strategy and tactics and Logistics all strategy and tactics and Logistics all strategy and tactics and Logistics all to gundar's Amusement no doubt Andel to gundar's Amusement no doubt Andel to gundar's Amusement no doubt Andel bonasus declared that he could take it bonasus declared that he could take it bonasus declared that he could take it no more and withdrew with his forces no more and withdrew with his forces no more and withdrew with his forces South Across The Straits of jalter into South Across The Straits of jalter into South Across The Straits of jalter into North North North Africa with the Roman forces in hispania Africa with the Roman forces in hispania Africa with the Roman forces in hispania now at least following a single leader now at least following a single leader now at least following a single leader gundrick Amusement dissipated and cenus

gundrick Amusement dissipated and cenus gundrick Amusement dissipated and cenus was able to make inroads against the was able to make inroads against the was able to make inroads against the vandals and reclaim bits of occupied vandals and reclaim bits of occupied vandals and reclaim bits of occupied territory grund's force was slowly being territory grund's force was slowly being territory grund's force was slowly being depleted day by day and it actually depleted day by day and it actually depleted day by day and it actually looked pretty bad for the vandals until looked pretty bad for the vandals until looked pretty bad for the vandals until some kind of mutiny broke out in cis's some kind of mutiny broke out in cis's some kind of mutiny broke out in cis's army that brought a screeching halt to army that brought a screeching halt to army that brought a screeching halt to the whole the whole the whole campaign it is only mentioned that the campaign it is only mentioned that the campaign it is only mentioned that the Goths under cis's command betrayed him Goths under cis's command betrayed him Goths under cis's command betrayed him whatever that actually means he was whatever that actually means he was whatever that actually means he was forced to with withdraw without having forced to with withdraw without having forced to with withdraw without having finished the job the next year castus was back in job the next year castus was back in Italy planning the next phase of the Italy planning the next phase of the Italy planning the next phase of the operation when on August the 15th 423 ad operation when on August the 15th 423 ad operation when on August the 15th 423 ad the empire was rocked by the shocking the empire was rocked by the shocking the empire was rocked by the shocking news that hus had died from what later news that hus had died from what later news that hus had died from what later Scholars have diagnosed as edema of the Scholars have diagnosed as edema of the Scholars have diagnosed as edema of the lungs he was 38 years old and had ruled lungs he was 38 years old and had ruled lungs he was 38 years old and had ruled the Western Empire though ruled is the Western Empire though ruled is the Western Empire though ruled is really not the right word for it for a really not the right word for it for a really not the right word for it for a kind of astounding 30 kind of astounding 30 kind of astounding 30 years all of the chaos of the last years all of the chaos of the last years all of the chaos of the last generation the usurpations the invasions generation the usurpations the invasions generation the usurpations the invasions the palace coups and somehow honorius the palace coups and somehow honorius the palace coups and somehow honorius had managed to survive it all and die of had managed to survive it all and die of had managed to survive it all and die of natural natural natural causes it is probably the single most causes it is probably the single most causes it is probably the single most impressive thing about his Imperial impressive thing about his Imperial impressive thing about his Imperial career the simple fact that he managed career the simple fact that he managed career the simple fact that he managed to live through it at to live through it at to live through it at all now of course as you are well aware all now of course as you are well aware all now of course as you are well aware honorius died without an erir of his own honorius died without an erir of his own honorius died without an erir of his own which as we've noted was no big deal

which as we've noted was no big deal which as we've noted was no big deal these days because we've got a healthy these days because we've got a healthy these days because we've got a healthy young valentinian III ready to step in young valentinian III ready to step in young valentinian III ready to step in and Dawn the purple sure he was a baby and Dawn the purple sure he was a baby and Dawn the purple sure he was a baby but of late the Empire had come to but of late the Empire had come to but of late the Empire had come to accept minority Emperors the point was accept minority Emperors the point was accept minority Emperors the point was Valentin III was the only living male Valentin III was the only living male Valentin III was the only living male relative of the Dead Emperor and he was relative of the Dead Emperor and he was relative of the Dead Emperor and he was the only one with a valid claim to the the only one with a valid claim to the the only one with a valid claim to the throne so no post honorious Civil Wars throne so no post honorious Civil Wars throne so no post honorious Civil Wars for control of the Western Empire right for control of the Western Empire right for control of the Western Empire right except that oh yeah valentinian III is except that oh yeah valentinian III is except that oh yeah valentinian III is not in Rena or Italy or anywhere in the not in Rena or Italy or anywhere in the not in Rena or Italy or anywhere in the Western Empire he is in Constantinople Western Empire he is in Constantinople Western Empire he is in Constantinople with his mother which is about to with his mother which is about to with his mother which is about to complicate complicate complicate things I would guess that if valentinian things I would guess that if valentinian things I would guess that if valentinian had been older 15 or 20 or something had been older 15 or 20 or something had been older 15 or 20 or something there would have been no issue word there would have been no issue word there would have been no issue word would have come over to Constantinople would have come over to Constantinople would have come over to Constantinople that huius was dead valentinian would that huius was dead valentinian would that huius was dead valentinian would have sailed at once for Rena and stepped have sailed at once for Rena and stepped have sailed at once for Rena and stepped seamlessly into seamlessly into seamlessly into power but unfortunately he had not yet power but unfortunately he had not yet power but unfortunately he had not yet been invested with any of the legal been invested with any of the legal been invested with any of the legal titles an heir usually receives you'll titles an heir usually receives you'll titles an heir usually receives you'll recall for example that hus himself was recall for example that hus himself was recall for example that hus himself was likewise a young boy living in likewise a young boy living in likewise a young boy living in Constantinople when his father died but Constantinople when his father died but Constantinople when his father died but at that point he had already been made a at that point he had already been made a at that point he had already been made a Caesar and then an Caesar and then an Caesar and then an Augustus valentinian was as of yet Augustus valentinian was as of yet Augustus valentinian was as of yet neither the Roman Imperial family neither the Roman Imperial family neither the Roman Imperial family resembled a traditional Royal family in resembled a traditional Royal family in resembled a traditional Royal family in almost every way but they still Define

almost every way but they still Define almost every way but they still Define the political power structure by titles the political power structure by titles the political power structure by titles rather than by Blood and the rather than by Blood and the rather than by Blood and the scrupulously litigious Romans couldn't scrupulously litigious Romans couldn't scrupulously litigious Romans couldn't help but notice that valentinian did not help but notice that valentinian did not help but notice that valentinian did not yet hold any official yet hold any official yet hold any official title everyone had assumed he would take title everyone had assumed he would take title everyone had assumed he would take over the west from hus but now that that over the west from hus but now that that over the west from hus but now that that day was upon them the matter was day was upon them the matter was day was upon them the matter was suddenly Up For suddenly Up For suddenly Up For Debate and without galapia and Debate and without galapia and Debate and without galapia and valentinian physically present in Rena valentinian physically present in Rena valentinian physically present in Rena to clamp down on nonsense talk and drive to clamp down on nonsense talk and drive to clamp down on nonsense talk and drive The Inheritance through the nobility of The Inheritance through the nobility of The Inheritance through the nobility of Italy began to wonder if there was not Italy began to wonder if there was not Italy began to wonder if there was not an opportunity here to be exploited the one person who could have exploited the one person who could have really killed this debate was theodosius really killed this debate was theodosius really killed this debate was theodosius II now technically the only Augustus in II now technically the only Augustus in II now technically the only Augustus in the Empire he would have by tradition the Empire he would have by tradition the Empire he would have by tradition had the right to nominate his cousin to had the right to nominate his cousin to had the right to nominate his cousin to the now vacant throne in the now vacant throne in the now vacant throne in Rea but he declined to do so possibly Rea but he declined to do so possibly Rea but he declined to do so possibly thinking that he too had an opportunity thinking that he too had an opportunity thinking that he too had an opportunity here worth here worth here worth exploiting but without a clear idea of exploiting but without a clear idea of exploiting but without a clear idea of how he wanted to exploit the opportunity how he wanted to exploit the opportunity how he wanted to exploit the opportunity theodocious is stalling merely theodocious is stalling merely theodocious is stalling merely emboldened the nobility in Italy to emboldened the nobility in Italy to emboldened the nobility in Italy to choose their own choose their own choose their own man with the general castus is backing man with the general castus is backing man with the general castus is backing the chief notary of the Western Empire a the chief notary of the Western Empire a the chief notary of the Western Empire a lifelong bureaucrat named yanus was lifelong bureaucrat named yanus was lifelong bureaucrat named yanus was declared Augustus of the declared Augustus of the declared Augustus of the West this elevation was recognized in West this elevation was recognized in West this elevation was recognized in Spain Gaul and Italy all territories Spain Gaul and Italy all territories Spain Gaul and Italy all territories controlled by cenis but it was rejected

controlled by cenis but it was rejected controlled by cenis but it was rejected by the North African provinces which by the North African provinces which by the North African provinces which were under the control of cis's rival bonasus now bonasus is refusal to bonasus now bonasus is refusal to recognize yanus clearly stemmed at least recognize yanus clearly stemmed at least recognize yanus clearly stemmed at least in part from his hatred of in part from his hatred of in part from his hatred of casanus but bonasus had also been helped casanus but bonasus had also been helped casanus but bonasus had also been helped into his high ranking position in the into his high ranking position in the into his high ranking position in the Army by his friend and benefactor Army by his friend and benefactor Army by his friend and benefactor galapia So Not only was he 100% opposed galapia So Not only was he 100% opposed galapia So Not only was he 100% opposed to caseness he was 100% supportive of to caseness he was 100% supportive of to caseness he was 100% supportive of the rights of valentinian the rights of valentinian the rights of valentinian thei which meant that yanus was never thei which meant that yanus was never thei which meant that yanus was never and I mean never going to get bonasus and I mean never going to get bonasus and I mean never going to get bonasus support and bonasus controlled North support and bonasus controlled North support and bonasus controlled North Africa and as you are no doubt sick of Africa and as you are no doubt sick of Africa and as you are no doubt sick of me reminding you North Africa was where me reminding you North Africa was where me reminding you North Africa was where Italy got its food from So You Guessed Italy got its food from So You Guessed Italy got its food from So You Guessed It the minute yannas was elevated It the minute yannas was elevated It the minute yannas was elevated bonasus cut off the grain as had been the case when gildo had cut as had been the case when gildo had cut off the grain during stilicho's Reign off the grain during stilicho's Reign off the grain during stilicho's Reign however the severing of the food supply however the severing of the food supply however the severing of the food supply was not fatal to the self-proclaimed was not fatal to the self-proclaimed was not fatal to the self-proclaimed regime in regime in regime in Rena sure it undermined yanas and castus Rena sure it undermined yanas and castus Rena sure it undermined yanas and castus a bit but it was not so debilitating a bit but it was not so debilitating a bit but it was not so debilitating that it crippled them right then and that it crippled them right then and that it crippled them right then and there no one outright says this but I there no one outright says this but I there no one outright says this but I reckon that this means Caston has reckon that this means Caston has reckon that this means Caston has followed stilicho's lead and was able to followed stilicho's lead and was able to followed stilicho's lead and was able to organize releas grain shipments from organize releas grain shipments from organize releas grain shipments from Gaul to cover the shortfall for the time

Gaul to cover the shortfall for the time Gaul to cover the shortfall for the time being this time being lasted for quite a being this time being lasted for quite a being this time being lasted for quite a bit longer than I would have thought bit longer than I would have thought bit longer than I would have thought Constantinople and the Western allies of Constantinople and the Western allies of Constantinople and the Western allies of the Imperial family would have led it the Imperial family would have led it the Imperial family would have led it and the entire year of 424 passed and the entire year of 424 passed and the entire year of 424 passed without any attempt to dislodge yannas without any attempt to dislodge yannas without any attempt to dislodge yannas being being being made there was probably some hope that made there was probably some hope that made there was probably some hope that the crisis could be resolved peacefully the crisis could be resolved peacefully the crisis could be resolved peacefully and some fear that peeling off troops to and some fear that peeling off troops to and some fear that peeling off troops to escort Valentini in the third to Italy escort Valentini in the third to Italy escort Valentini in the third to Italy would open up the danu frontier to would open up the danu frontier to would open up the danu frontier to another Hun invasion and so it wasn't another Hun invasion and so it wasn't another Hun invasion and so it wasn't until the spring of until the spring of until the spring of 425 getting close to 2 years since the 425 getting close to 2 years since the 425 getting close to 2 years since the death of huius that enough finally death of huius that enough finally death of huius that enough finally became became became enough in the meantime the only conrete enough in the meantime the only conrete enough in the meantime the only conrete step that had been taken to counter step that had been taken to counter step that had been taken to counter yanus and castus was the elevation of yanus and castus was the elevation of yanus and castus was the elevation of Young valentinian to the Imperial rank Young valentinian to the Imperial rank Young valentinian to the Imperial rank of Caesar which gave him the necessary of Caesar which gave him the necessary of Caesar which gave him the necessary legal Authority he needed to claim the legal Authority he needed to claim the legal Authority he needed to claim the Throne of the West when it finally came Throne of the West when it finally came Throne of the West when it finally came time for him to make that claim so as I just said in the spring of claim so as I just said in the spring of 425 this had all gone on long enough 425 this had all gone on long enough 425 this had all gone on long enough Constantinople mobilized an Constantinople mobilized an Constantinople mobilized an expeditionary Force Under the command of expeditionary Force Under the command of expeditionary Force Under the command of the general artor the man who had just the general artor the man who had just the general artor the man who had just recently led the Roman forces in the Far recently led the Roman forces in the Far recently led the Roman forces in the Far East during the brief war with East during the brief war with East during the brief war with Persia with valentinian and galapia in Persia with valentinian and galapia in Persia with valentinian and galapia in tow Arbor's mission was to march on tow Arbor's mission was to march on tow Arbor's mission was to march on Italy destroy the upstart regime and Italy destroy the upstart regime and Italy destroy the upstart regime and install valentinian on the throne in

install valentinian on the throne in install valentinian on the throne in Rena I'm not sure if the Eastern forces Rena I'm not sure if the Eastern forces Rena I'm not sure if the Eastern forces took the land route in through the Alps took the land route in through the Alps took the land route in through the Alps or if they sailed their way in but or if they sailed their way in but or if they sailed their way in but whichever it was they managed to whichever it was they managed to whichever it was they managed to penetrate whatever defenses stood penetrate whatever defenses stood penetrate whatever defenses stood against them and establish a foothold on against them and establish a foothold on against them and establish a foothold on the the the peninsula but it was not all smooth peninsula but it was not all smooth peninsula but it was not all smooth sailing or smooth walking as the case sailing or smooth walking as the case sailing or smooth walking as the case may have may have may have been shortly after arriving the armies been shortly after arriving the armies been shortly after arriving the armies of east and west fought a brief and of east and west fought a brief and of east and west fought a brief and inconclusive battle which probably would inconclusive battle which probably would inconclusive battle which probably would have passed little noticed were it not have passed little noticed were it not have passed little noticed were it not for the fact that during the fighting for the fact that during the fighting for the fact that during the fighting arabor was taken prisoner and hauled up arabor was taken prisoner and hauled up arabor was taken prisoner and hauled up to to to Rena still holding out hope that if they Rena still holding out hope that if they Rena still holding out hope that if they said and did all the right things that said and did all the right things that said and did all the right things that Constantinople would recognize their Constantinople would recognize their Constantinople would recognize their regime yanus and castus decided to let regime yanus and castus decided to let regime yanus and castus decided to let ardore live as a sign of their good ardore live as a sign of their good ardore live as a sign of their good faith a decision that would prove to be faith a decision that would prove to be faith a decision that would prove to be their undoing their undoing their undoing while in captivity arabor chatted up the while in captivity arabor chatted up the while in captivity arabor chatted up the guards and ministers who came and went guards and ministers who came and went guards and ministers who came and went and he managed to get his hooks into a and he managed to get his hooks into a and he managed to get his hooks into a member of yann's inner member of yann's inner member of yann's inner circle probably explaining that it was circle probably explaining that it was circle probably explaining that it was just a matter of time before the just a matter of time before the just a matter of time before the self-proclaimed regime was toppled and self-proclaimed regime was toppled and self-proclaimed regime was toppled and wouldn't it be better to help said wouldn't it be better to help said wouldn't it be better to help said toppling and live than to oppose it and toppling and live than to oppose it and toppling and live than to oppose it and die arabor convinced the minister to die arabor convinced the minister to die arabor convinced the minister to betray betray betray yanas details are sketchy but the next yanas details are sketchy but the next yanas details are sketchy but the next thing you know arabor is free and yanus thing you know arabor is free and yanus thing you know arabor is free and yanus has been kidnapped from the Imperial has been kidnapped from the Imperial has been kidnapped from the Imperial palaces of Rena and spirited off to palaces of Rena and spirited off to palaces of Rena and spirited off to aquala which the Eastern forces had

aquala which the Eastern forces had aquala which the Eastern forces had seized control of ardor was not seized control of ardor was not seized control of ardor was not interested in showing yannas the same interested in showing yannas the same interested in showing yannas the same consideration that the general himself consideration that the general himself consideration that the general himself had been shown after his own capture and had been shown after his own capture and had been shown after his own capture and following a prolonged cycle of torture following a prolonged cycle of torture following a prolonged cycle of torture the wouldbe emperor was the wouldbe emperor was the wouldbe emperor was beheaded with yanas dead the fight went beheaded with yanas dead the fight went beheaded with yanas dead the fight went out of his supporters and they rolled out of his supporters and they rolled out of his supporters and they rolled over castus was tracked down and either over castus was tracked down and either over castus was tracked down and either either killed or exiled depending on either killed or exiled depending on either killed or exiled depending on which source you read and I would which source you read and I would which source you read and I would personally lean toward the former personally lean toward the former personally lean toward the former interpretation an ardore got green check interpretation an ardore got green check interpretation an ardore got green check marks up and down the board he had marks up and down the board he had marks up and down the board he had marched on Italy defeated the upstart marched on Italy defeated the upstart marched on Italy defeated the upstart regime and placed valentinian on the regime and placed valentinian on the regime and placed valentinian on the throne in Rena loading Next throne in Rena loading Next throne in Rena loading Next Level the next level began with word Level the next level began with word Level the next level began with word coming in that before the Eastern forces coming in that before the Eastern forces coming in that before the Eastern forces had arrived yanus had sent one of his had arrived yanus had sent one of his had arrived yanus had sent one of his commanders off beyond the danu Frontier commanders off beyond the danu Frontier commanders off beyond the danu Frontier to raise a relief Army from among the to raise a relief Army from among the to raise a relief Army from among the Huns who this particular Commander had Huns who this particular Commander had Huns who this particular Commander had had Fairly extensive contact with during had Fairly extensive contact with during had Fairly extensive contact with during his his his career that Commander had succeeded in career that Commander had succeeded in career that Commander had succeeded in his mission and was now riding into his mission and was now riding into his mission and was now riding into Northern Italy at the head of a hunic Northern Italy at the head of a hunic Northern Italy at the head of a hunic army but he was exactly 3 days too late army but he was exactly 3 days too late army but he was exactly 3 days too late and when the Huns arrived in Rena they and when the Huns arrived in Rena they and when the Huns arrived in Rena they found that it had already been seized by found that it had already been seized by found that it had already been seized by arabor the question of whether this arabor the question of whether this arabor the question of whether this newly arrived force would carry on the newly arrived force would carry on the newly arrived force would carry on the fight hung in the air until galapia fight hung in the air until galapia fight hung in the air until galapia stepped in and put this little Civil War stepped in and put this little Civil War stepped in and put this little Civil War to bed once and for

to bed once and for to bed once and for all the Huns were to be paid handsomely all the Huns were to be paid handsomely all the Huns were to be paid handsomely for their time if they agreed to head for their time if they agreed to head for their time if they agreed to head back to their homes north of the danu back to their homes north of the danu back to their homes north of the danu and the commander would be given a high and the commander would be given a high and the commander would be given a high ranking position in the western Legions ranking position in the western Legions ranking position in the western Legions if he agreed to swear his loyalty to if he agreed to swear his loyalty to if he agreed to swear his loyalty to valentinian the commander agreed and the valentinian the commander agreed and the valentinian the commander agreed and the crisis that had been sparked by the crisis that had been sparked by the crisis that had been sparked by the death of honorius was Stamped Out death of honorius was Stamped Out death of honorius was Stamped Out so who was this Commander who had been so who was this Commander who had been so who was this Commander who had been able to mobilize a force of Huns to able to mobilize a force of Huns to able to mobilize a force of Huns to fight for him and who was about to fight for him and who was about to fight for him and who was about to become one of the commanders and chief become one of the commanders and chief become one of the commanders and chief in Gaul he was a one Mr flavus eus who in Gaul he was a one Mr flavus eus who in Gaul he was a one Mr flavus eus who was well on his way to becoming the most was well on his way to becoming the most was well on his way to becoming the most powerful man in the Western Empire and powerful man in the Western Empire and powerful man in the Western Empire and The Man Who Would dominate the reign of The Man Who Would dominate the reign of The Man Who Would dominate the reign of Valentin III politically and militarily eus had been born around 390 militarily eus had been born around 390 in moesia he was the son of a prominent in moesia he was the son of a prominent in moesia he was the son of a prominent daan Soldier and an aristocratic Roman daan Soldier and an aristocratic Roman daan Soldier and an aristocratic Roman mother so unlike many of the yyan mother so unlike many of the yyan mother so unlike many of the yyan soldiers who had risen to Providence soldiers who had risen to Providence soldiers who had risen to Providence over the years he did not come from over the years he did not come from over the years he did not come from obscure peasant obscure peasant obscure peasant stock as a result of his essentially stock as a result of his essentially stock as a result of his essentially Noble status his early years did not Noble status his early years did not Noble status his early years did not follow the same Arc as his fellow follow the same Arc as his fellow follow the same Arc as his fellow soldiers who endured the Hard Scrabble soldiers who endured the Hard Scrabble soldiers who endured the Hard Scrabble life of being a poor laborer before life of being a poor laborer before life of being a poor laborer before escaping into the ranks of the army when escaping into the ranks of the army when escaping into the ranks of the army when they came of age eus was instead they came of age eus was instead they came of age eus was instead considered valuable enough that he was considered valuable enough that he was considered valuable enough that he was drafted to serve as a hostage on behalf drafted to serve as a hostage on behalf drafted to serve as a hostage on behalf of the Roman of the Roman of the Roman Empire the exchange of hostages between

Empire the exchange of hostages between Empire the exchange of hostages between allies usually children to ensure allies usually children to ensure allies usually children to ensure maximum compliance with the terms of maximum compliance with the terms of maximum compliance with the terms of whatever treaty was an ancient tradition whatever treaty was an ancient tradition whatever treaty was an ancient tradition and in 405 eus was one of the hostages and in 405 eus was one of the hostages and in 405 eus was one of the hostages sent off by Stilo to live with all Al's sent off by Stilo to live with all Al's sent off by Stilo to live with all Al's Goths the teenager lived with Aller for Goths the teenager lived with Aller for Goths the teenager lived with Aller for 3 years until in 408 the chaos that 3 years until in 408 the chaos that 3 years until in 408 the chaos that resulted Ed from the fall of Stilo led resulted Ed from the fall of Stilo led resulted Ed from the fall of Stilo led to his to his to his release shortly thereafter he was once release shortly thereafter he was once release shortly thereafter he was once again drafted as a hostage and sent to again drafted as a hostage and sent to again drafted as a hostage and sent to live with a branch of the Huns who the live with a branch of the Huns who the live with a branch of the Huns who the Empire had recently come to an agreement Empire had recently come to an agreement Empire had recently come to an agreement of mutual understanding of mutual understanding of mutual understanding with eus lived with these Huns for an with eus lived with these Huns for an with eus lived with these Huns for an indeterminate amount of time but likely indeterminate amount of time but likely indeterminate amount of time but likely for at least a few years before he for at least a few years before he for at least a few years before he returned to Roman territory and followed returned to Roman territory and followed returned to Roman territory and followed his father into the his father into the his father into the army these early experiences the army these early experiences the army these early experiences the positive ties he forged with the positive ties he forged with the positive ties he forged with the Barbarian communities he lived with put Barbarian communities he lived with put Barbarian communities he lived with put eus in a unique position to manage the eus in a unique position to manage the eus in a unique position to manage the fifth century Empire as it wrestled with fifth century Empire as it wrestled with fifth century Empire as it wrestled with the question of how to fight and how to the question of how to fight and how to the question of how to fight and how to live with the Barbarian tribes inside live with the Barbarian tribes inside live with the Barbarian tribes inside and outside of their territory next week eus will begin to territory next week eus will begin to show his Savvy and his metal when he show his Savvy and his metal when he show his Savvy and his metal when he arrives in Gaul to take over his new arrives in Gaul to take over his new arrives in Gaul to take over his new command the Goths now under the vigorous command the Goths now under the vigorous command the Goths now under the vigorous King theodoric had recently grown King theodoric had recently grown King theodoric had recently grown restless and were looking to expand restless and were looking to expand restless and were looking to expand their territory beyond the confines of their territory beyond the confines of their territory beyond the confines of aquatan these were of course the very

aquatan these were of course the very aquatan these were of course the very same Goths eus had spent three years of same Goths eus had spent three years of same Goths eus had spent three years of his life living with 20 years earlier his life living with 20 years earlier his life living with 20 years earlier and though he would show a remarkable and though he would show a remarkable and though he would show a remarkable firmness in putting the Goths back into firmness in putting the Goths back into firmness in putting the Goths back into their place he recognized the Folly of their place he recognized the Folly of their place he recognized the Folly of treating them as anything less than a treating them as anything less than a treating them as anything less than a powerful Ally who had temporarily powerful Ally who had temporarily powerful Ally who had temporarily overreached the fifth century was a overreached the fifth century was a overreached the fifth century was a dangerous place and enemies lur behind dangerous place and enemies lur behind dangerous place and enemies lur behind every shadow eus was going to make darn every shadow eus was going to make darn every shadow eus was going to make darn sure he didn't make new ones if he did sure he didn't make new ones if he did sure he didn't make new ones if he did not have not have not have to especially when they might be needed to especially when they might be needed to especially when they might be needed to counter the biggest enemy on ets's to counter the biggest enemy on ets's to counter the biggest enemy on ets's radar no not the Huns or the vandals or radar no not the Huns or the vandals or radar no not the Huns or the vandals or the Franks but the general bonasus down the Franks but the general bonasus down the Franks but the general bonasus down in North Africa who despised eus as he in North Africa who despised eus as he in North Africa who despised eus as he had despised castus and who would likely had despised castus and who would likely had despised castus and who would likely stop at nothing until eus was driven stop at nothing until eus was driven stop at nothing until eus was driven from Power from Power from Power [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 168 the rise of

eus in 425 ad a 6-year-old valentinian eus in 425 ad a 6-year-old valentinian III became emperor of the Western III became emperor of the Western III became emperor of the Western Empire he shared power with his cousin Empire he shared power with his cousin Empire he shared power with his cousin the Eastern Emperor theodocious II and the Eastern Emperor theodocious II and the Eastern Emperor theodocious II and together they ruled a United Roman together they ruled a United Roman together they ruled a United Roman Empire that was territorially speaking Empire that was territorially speaking Empire that was territorially speaking essentially the same Empire that had essentially the same Empire that had essentially the same Empire that had been ruled by Augustus at least that's been ruled by Augustus at least that's been ruled by Augustus at least that's how it looked on how it looked on how it looked on paper in reality this United Empire was paper in reality this United Empire was paper in reality this United Empire was anything but as rival power centers with anything but as rival power centers with anything but as rival power centers with conflicting interests fought to control conflicting interests fought to control conflicting interests fought to control their little pieces of the pie and maybe their little pieces of the pie and maybe their little pieces of the pie and maybe grab some of their neighbors pie if the grab some of their neighbors pie if the grab some of their neighbors pie if the opportunity opportunity opportunity arose for the time being the East was arose for the time being the East was arose for the time being the East was doing a better job holding on to their doing a better job holding on to their doing a better job holding on to their political Integrity than the West political Integrity than the West political Integrity than the West but the Ministers of Constantinople knew but the Ministers of Constantinople knew but the Ministers of Constantinople knew that any major thrust by the cids in the that any major thrust by the cids in the that any major thrust by the cids in the East or the Huns in the north would East or the Huns in the north would East or the Huns in the north would bring it all crashing bring it all crashing bring it all crashing down the West meanwhile was a mess the down the West meanwhile was a mess the down the West meanwhile was a mess the Franks controlled the northeast of Gaul Franks controlled the northeast of Gaul Franks controlled the northeast of Gaul the Goths controlled the southwest of the Goths controlled the southwest of the Goths controlled the southwest of Gaul the vandals controlled whole swaths Gaul the vandals controlled whole swaths Gaul the vandals controlled whole swaths of hispania bonasus ruled North Africa of hispania bonasus ruled North Africa of hispania bonasus ruled North Africa as a quasi independent warlord while the as a quasi independent warlord while the as a quasi independent warlord while the new commander-in-chief of Gaul flavus new commander-in-chief of Gaul flavus new commander-in-chief of Gaul flavus eus now controlled tens of thousands of eus now controlled tens of thousands of eus now controlled tens of thousands of troops and his loyalty to Rena was troops and his loyalty to Rena was troops and his loyalty to Rena was dubious at dubious at dubious at best a map of the empire in the fifth best a map of the empire in the fifth best a map of the empire in the fifth century may have looked like a map of century may have looked like a map of century may have looked like a map of the Empire during the age of Augustus the Empire during the age of Augustus the Empire during the age of Augustus but the first emperor excuse me first

but the first emperor excuse me first but the first emperor excuse me first citizen would not have recognized the citizen would not have recognized the citizen would not have recognized the land he once land he once land he once ruled even in the halls of the Imperial ruled even in the halls of the Imperial ruled even in the halls of the Imperial palaces the authority of the Emperors palaces the authority of the Emperors palaces the authority of the Emperors was only paper thin as everyone knew was only paper thin as everyone knew was only paper thin as everyone knew that real power lay in the hands of two that real power lay in the hands of two that real power lay in the hands of two women valentinian's mother galapia in women valentinian's mother galapia in women valentinian's mother galapia in the west and theodosia's sister Elia P the west and theodosia's sister Elia P the west and theodosia's sister Elia P Chariot in the Chariot in the Chariot in the East this was an Empire whose reality East this was an Empire whose reality East this was an Empire whose reality was clearly divorced from the happy was clearly divorced from the happy was clearly divorced from the happy propaganda offered daily to the public propaganda offered daily to the public propaganda offered daily to the public and that at least Augustus would have recognized of all these competing power recognized of all these competing power centers the first to butt heads centers the first to butt heads centers the first to butt heads following the Ascension of valentinian following the Ascension of valentinian following the Ascension of valentinian the third was eus and the the third was eus and the the third was eus and the Goths in 427 eus entered Gaul with a Goths in 427 eus entered Gaul with a Goths in 427 eus entered Gaul with a force of about 40,000 soldiers and force of about 40,000 soldiers and force of about 40,000 soldiers and discovered that theodoric had decided to discovered that theodoric had decided to discovered that theodoric had decided to take advantage of the recent chaos in take advantage of the recent chaos in take advantage of the recent chaos in the west and expand his territory beyond the west and expand his territory beyond the west and expand his territory beyond the confines of the confines of the confines of aquatan specifically the Goths were in aquatan specifically the Goths were in aquatan specifically the Goths were in the middle of laying Siege to the key the middle of laying Siege to the key the middle of laying Siege to the key Gall city of Gall city of Gall city of ARL despite their prolonged ARL despite their prolonged ARL despite their prolonged intermingling with the Romans however intermingling with the Romans however intermingling with the Romans however the Goths had AAR gotten no better at the Goths had AAR gotten no better at the Goths had AAR gotten no better at Siege craft and by the time eus arrived Siege craft and by the time eus arrived Siege craft and by the time eus arrived they had not yet managed to take the they had not yet managed to take the they had not yet managed to take the city E's veteran forces were fresh and city E's veteran forces were fresh and city E's veteran forces were fresh and easily drove the Goths back into easily drove the Goths back into easily drove the Goths back into aquatan eus made no move to pursue them aquatan eus made no move to pursue them aquatan eus made no move to pursue them or even punish them for their Siege just

or even punish them for their Siege just or even punish them for their Siege just a few years removed from the settlement a few years removed from the settlement a few years removed from the settlement with constantius and already the with constantius and already the with constantius and already the question of the gothic right to aquatan question of the gothic right to aquatan question of the gothic right to aquatan was not an issue their only crime was was not an issue their only crime was was not an issue their only crime was straying Beyond The Border of their territory after putting the Goths back territory after putting the Goths back to bed eus turned his attention to bed eus turned his attention to bed eus turned his attention North since the Barbarian invasion of North since the Barbarian invasion of North since the Barbarian invasion of 406 the power of the Franks had waned a 406 the power of the Franks had waned a 406 the power of the Franks had waned a bit after they had been first overrun by bit after they had been first overrun by bit after they had been first overrun by their Eastern neighbors and then sided their Eastern neighbors and then sided their Eastern neighbors and then sided with successive losers in the gallic with successive losers in the gallic with successive losers in the gallic usurpation wars fought between usurpation wars fought between usurpation wars fought between Constantine III ganus jenus atal and Constantine III ganus jenus atal and Constantine III ganus jenus atal and constantius III constantius III constantius III but now that things had settled down the but now that things had settled down the but now that things had settled down the Franks were beginning to reassert their Franks were beginning to reassert their Franks were beginning to reassert their preeminence in northeastern Gaul which preeminence in northeastern Gaul which preeminence in northeastern Gaul which eus and the Romans were fine with apart eus and the Romans were fine with apart eus and the Romans were fine with apart from its failure to stop the combined from its failure to stop the combined from its failure to stop the combined Barbarian invasion of 406 the Frankish Barbarian invasion of 406 the Frankish Barbarian invasion of 406 the Frankish bwork along the rine had served the bwork along the rine had served the bwork along the rine had served the Empire's interest Empire's interest Empire's interest well but as we've noted previously it well but as we've noted previously it well but as we've noted previously it was imperative that this reassertion of was imperative that this reassertion of was imperative that this reassertion of preeminence come under the opes of the preeminence come under the opes of the preeminence come under the opes of the Imperial Imperial Imperial government it may have been just a government it may have been just a government it may have been just a veneer of author veneer of author veneer of author but the veneer was all the Romans had but the veneer was all the Romans had but the veneer was all the Romans had left and they were willing to fight to left and they were willing to fight to left and they were willing to fight to protect protect protect it so edus marched his forces North and it so edus marched his forces North and it so edus marched his forces North and conducted a campaign in 428 during which conducted a campaign in 428 during which conducted a campaign in 428 during which he defeated a combined Frankish Army in he defeated a combined Frankish Army in he defeated a combined Frankish Army in battle and secured from them the battle and secured from them the battle and secured from them the acknowledgement that yes Rome is still acknowledgement that yes Rome is still acknowledgement that yes Rome is still number one and we just live

number one and we just live number one and we just live here eus also coaxed an agreement from here eus also coaxed an agreement from here eus also coaxed an agreement from the Goths to provide troops to the the Goths to provide troops to the the Goths to provide troops to the Romans if necessary and of course by Romans if necessary and of course by Romans if necessary and of course by Romans etus meant me me eus you will Romans etus meant me me eus you will Romans etus meant me me eus you will provide me with troops should I find it provide me with troops should I find it provide me with troops should I find it necessary and he would very shortly find necessary and he would very shortly find necessary and he would very shortly find it it it necessary after all Brutus says that eus necessary after all Brutus says that eus necessary after all Brutus says that eus was ambitious and Brutus is an honorable man in recognition for his achievements man in recognition for his achievements in Gul over the past two years and to in Gul over the past two years and to in Gul over the past two years and to plate a general whose loyalties as I plate a general whose loyalties as I plate a general whose loyalties as I just mentioned were a bit suspect eus just mentioned were a bit suspect eus just mentioned were a bit suspect eus was elevated to the rank of Magister was elevated to the rank of Magister was elevated to the rank of Magister militum making him one of the most militum making him one of the most militum making him one of the most senior officers in the Western senior officers in the Western senior officers in the Western Empire I say one of rather than the most Empire I say one of rather than the most Empire I say one of rather than the most senior officer because he was still senior officer because he was still senior officer because he was still outranked by the senior Magister militum outranked by the senior Magister militum outranked by the senior Magister militum flavius Felix who had earned his flavius Felix who had earned his flavius Felix who had earned his position by way of his friendship with position by way of his friendship with position by way of his friendship with galapia but eus was a Savvy operator and galapia but eus was a Savvy operator and galapia but eus was a Savvy operator and so rather than attack a rival who was so rather than attack a rival who was so rather than attack a rival who was close at hand and able to defend himself close at hand and able to defend himself close at hand and able to defend himself eus attacked a rival who was far away eus attacked a rival who was far away eus attacked a rival who was far away and unable to defend and unable to defend and unable to defend himself leveraging his Newfound himself leveraging his Newfound himself leveraging his Newfound influence he managed to convince galapia influence he managed to convince galapia influence he managed to convince galapia that bonasus was guilty of conspiring that bonasus was guilty of conspiring that bonasus was guilty of conspiring against the Imperial against the Imperial against the Imperial family then according to procopius the family then according to procopius the family then according to procopius the Byzantine historian who rode with Byzantine historian who rode with Byzantine historian who rode with belisarius the Sneaky Snake eus wrote

belisarius the Sneaky Snake eus wrote belisarius the Sneaky Snake eus wrote letters to bonasus warning him that Rena letters to bonasus warning him that Rena letters to bonasus warning him that Rena for some reason had decided he was for some reason had decided he was for some reason had decided he was guilty of treason I don't know where guilty of treason I don't know where guilty of treason I don't know where they got that idea from etus wrote but they got that idea from etus wrote but they got that idea from etus wrote but if pdia summons you back to court don't if pdia summons you back to court don't if pdia summons you back to court don't come because it's a come because it's a come because it's a trap so of course when pdia wrote to trap so of course when pdia wrote to trap so of course when pdia wrote to bonasus asking him to please come to bonasus asking him to please come to bonasus asking him to please come to Rena and explain himself bonasus froze Rena and explain himself bonasus froze Rena and explain himself bonasus froze it was all unfolding exactly as eus had it was all unfolding exactly as eus had it was all unfolding exactly as eus had told him it would and of course it was told him it would and of course it was told him it would and of course it was because eus was working both sides as because eus was working both sides as because eus was working both sides as deviously as a malicious 15-year-old deviously as a malicious 15-year-old deviously as a malicious 15-year-old girl with unlimited text messaging now I am not aware of any Smoking Gun now I am not aware of any Smoking Gun piece of evidence that supports the piece of evidence that supports the piece of evidence that supports the theory that is usually floated around theory that is usually floated around theory that is usually floated around about what happens next but The about what happens next but The about what happens next but The Coincidence of events is so strong that Coincidence of events is so strong that Coincidence of events is so strong that is often simply taken for granted that is often simply taken for granted that is often simply taken for granted that bonasus is the one who invited the bonasus is the one who invited the bonasus is the one who invited the vandals into North vandals into North vandals into North Africa because in 428 right at the Africa because in 428 right at the Africa because in 428 right at the moment when bonasus is falling from moment when bonasus is falling from moment when bonasus is falling from favor and finding himself isolated favor and finding himself isolated favor and finding himself isolated politically and militarily the vandals politically and militarily the vandals politically and militarily the vandals suddenly decided to pick up and migrate suddenly decided to pick up and migrate suddenly decided to pick up and migrate and Mass from Spain to North Africa and and Mass from Spain to North Africa and and Mass from Spain to North Africa and bonasus did not lift a finger to stop bonasus did not lift a finger to stop bonasus did not lift a finger to stop them hence the assumed theory that the them hence the assumed theory that the them hence the assumed theory that the general desperate for allies and arms general desperate for allies and arms general desperate for allies and arms made contact with the new Vandal King made contact with the new Vandal King made contact with the new Vandal King genseric who had just months before genseric who had just months before genseric who had just months before succeeded his late brother gundrick and

succeeded his late brother gundrick and succeeded his late brother gundrick and offered him land and title in North offered him land and title in North offered him land and title in North Africa in exchange for Vandal support in Africa in exchange for Vandal support in Africa in exchange for Vandal support in a possible Civil War a possible Civil War a possible Civil War now in the midst of his Dark Night of now in the midst of his Dark Night of now in the midst of his Dark Night of the Soul bonasus might have thought that the Soul bonasus might have thought that the Soul bonasus might have thought that inviting the vandals in was a necessary inviting the vandals in was a necessary inviting the vandals in was a necessary even reasonable step to take but when even reasonable step to take but when even reasonable step to take but when the dawn came pick your metaphor you the dawn came pick your metaphor you the dawn came pick your metaphor you can't put the genie back in the bottle can't put the genie back in the bottle can't put the genie back in the bottle or the toothpaste back in the tube or or the toothpaste back in the tube or or the toothpaste back in the tube or the vandals back in Spain but this theory has been Spain but this theory has been challenged recently for not really challenged recently for not really challenged recently for not really making much sense bonafos making much sense bonafos making much sense bonafos had been nothing but loyal to the had been nothing but loyal to the had been nothing but loyal to the Imperial family and they had in turn Imperial family and they had in turn Imperial family and they had in turn been nothing but loyal to him why would been nothing but loyal to him why would been nothing but loyal to him why would a couple of letters from eus who you a couple of letters from eus who you a couple of letters from eus who you recall had been on the opposite side recall had been on the opposite side recall had been on the opposite side from pdia and bonasus in the last Civil from pdia and bonasus in the last Civil from pdia and bonasus in the last Civil War suddenly induce him to panic and War suddenly induce him to panic and War suddenly induce him to panic and invite a horde of unpacified vandals invite a horde of unpacified vandals invite a horde of unpacified vandals into his into his into his territory the answer is that well it territory the answer is that well it territory the answer is that well it probably wouldn't have and The probably wouldn't have and The probably wouldn't have and The Coincidence of the Vandal migration Coincidence of the Vandal migration Coincidence of the Vandal migration really was just that really was just that really was just that a a a coincidence with a new king having just coincidence with a new king having just coincidence with a new king having just ascended to power it's not like it would ascended to power it's not like it would ascended to power it's not like it would have been far-fetched for the vandals to have been far-fetched for the vandals to have been far-fetched for the vandals to choose this particular moment to move choose this particular moment to move choose this particular moment to move on so in this less dramatic version on so in this less dramatic version on so in this less dramatic version gundrick dies and upon taking control of gundrick dies and upon taking control of gundrick dies and upon taking control of the tribe gin serak decides to lead them the tribe gin serak decides to lead them the tribe gin serak decides to lead them out of hispania down into North Africa out of hispania down into North Africa out of hispania down into North Africa where the pastures might be greener and

where the pastures might be greener and where the pastures might be greener and easier to easier to easier to harvest and given that the Romans were harvest and given that the Romans were harvest and given that the Romans were about to recognize a vandal Kingdom in about to recognize a vandal Kingdom in about to recognize a vandal Kingdom in North Africa it's not like ginak was North Africa it's not like ginak was North Africa it's not like ginak was wrong to try his luck wrong to try his luck wrong to try his luck there this far less fun theory is backed there this far less fun theory is backed there this far less fun theory is backed up by what happened next as I just noted up by what happened next as I just noted up by what happened next as I just noted bonasus was a favorite of bonasus was a favorite of bonasus was a favorite of galopus he had refused to recognize galopus he had refused to recognize galopus he had refused to recognize yanas and done everything in his power yanas and done everything in his power yanas and done everything in his power to help get valentinian III onto the to help get valentinian III onto the to help get valentinian III onto the throne so after eus made his accusations throne so after eus made his accusations throne so after eus made his accusations the Augusta was left to wonder why bonao the Augusta was left to wonder why bonao the Augusta was left to wonder why bonao would suddenly go Rogue now after would suddenly go Rogue now after would suddenly go Rogue now after showing so much loyalty in the past and showing so much loyalty in the past and showing so much loyalty in the past and the answer she soon arrived at was that the answer she soon arrived at was that the answer she soon arrived at was that bonasus had never gone Rogue the charges bonasus had never gone Rogue the charges bonasus had never gone Rogue the charges had rung Hollow because they were had rung Hollow because they were had rung Hollow because they were Hollow so almost as quickly as bonasus Hollow so almost as quickly as bonasus Hollow so almost as quickly as bonasus had fallen from favor he flew right back had fallen from favor he flew right back had fallen from favor he flew right back up into up into up into it not only does the rapidity of this it not only does the rapidity of this it not only does the rapidity of this turnaround point to an underlying trust turnaround point to an underlying trust turnaround point to an underlying trust between pdia and bonasus that could not between pdia and bonasus that could not between pdia and bonasus that could not be so easily shaken but it also leaves be so easily shaken but it also leaves be so easily shaken but it also leaves very little time for bonasus to make his very little time for bonasus to make his very little time for bonasus to make his alleged invitation to the alleged invitation to the alleged invitation to the vandals whether he did or did not invite vandals whether he did or did not invite vandals whether he did or did not invite them to come down to North Africa them to come down to North Africa them to come down to North Africa however one thing is very clear in the however one thing is very clear in the however one thing is very clear in the late 420s the vandals came down to North late 420s the vandals came down to North late 420s the vandals came down to North Africa when bonasus heard they were Africa when bonasus heard they were Africa when bonasus heard they were making the Crossing from hispania he

making the Crossing from hispania he making the Crossing from hispania he ordered them to turn around at once but ordered them to turn around at once but ordered them to turn around at once but genseric simply ignored him genseric simply ignored him genseric simply ignored him the vandals were in the process of the vandals were in the process of the vandals were in the process of migrating and mass giving up their land migrating and mass giving up their land migrating and mass giving up their land and strategic positions in Spain in the and strategic positions in Spain in the and strategic positions in Spain in the process they had no intention of going process they had no intention of going process they had no intention of going back so now bonasus had himself a little back so now bonasus had himself a little back so now bonasus had himself a little problem what do you do when 880,000 problem what do you do when 880,000 problem what do you do when 880,000 vandals say that we're here to stay and vandals say that we're here to stay and vandals say that we're here to stay and what are you going to do about it while bonasus was figuring out what it while bonasus was figuring out what to do about it eus returned to Gaul to do about it eus returned to Gaul to do about it eus returned to Gaul where he was was once again forced to where he was was once again forced to where he was was once again forced to confront an expansionist minded confront an expansionist minded confront an expansionist minded theodoric around 4:30 a second battle theodoric around 4:30 a second battle theodoric around 4:30 a second battle was fought near the city of ARL whose was fought near the city of ARL whose was fought near the city of ARL whose outcome was the same as the first time outcome was the same as the first time outcome was the same as the first time around the Goths were driven back into around the Goths were driven back into around the Goths were driven back into aquatan this time however eus forced aquatan this time however eus forced aquatan this time however eus forced Theodor to sign a formal peace deal Theodor to sign a formal peace deal Theodor to sign a formal peace deal reinforcing the terms the Goths and reinforcing the terms the Goths and reinforcing the terms the Goths and Romans had previously agreed on the Romans had previously agreed on the Romans had previously agreed on the original deal had been struck by aalf original deal had been struck by aalf original deal had been struck by aalf and constantius neither of whom were and constantius neither of whom were and constantius neither of whom were still alive so now the deal was restruck still alive so now the deal was restruck still alive so now the deal was restruck between theodoric and eus and maybe that between theodoric and eus and maybe that between theodoric and eus and maybe that would keep the Goths where the Goths would keep the Goths where the Goths would keep the Goths where the Goths belonged and maybe since he was being so belonged and maybe since he was being so belonged and maybe since he was being so lenient eus would be able to count on lenient eus would be able to count on lenient eus would be able to count on the Loyalty of theodoric and the might the Loyalty of theodoric and the might the Loyalty of theodoric and the might of Gothic arms should the need arise having come to terms once again arise having come to terms once again with the Goths eus turned his attention

with the Goths eus turned his attention with the Goths eus turned his attention to a more pressing matter it appeared to a more pressing matter it appeared to a more pressing matter it appeared that galapia had gotten wise to his that galapia had gotten wise to his that galapia had gotten wise to his double dealings over bonasus the details of all this are bonasus the details of all this are muddled but it appears likely that pdia muddled but it appears likely that pdia muddled but it appears likely that pdia hip to E's Shenanigans ordered the hip to E's Shenanigans ordered the hip to E's Shenanigans ordered the senior Magister militum flavius Felix to senior Magister militum flavius Felix to senior Magister militum flavius Felix to take care of his two-faced take care of his two-faced take care of his two-faced colleague etus was then probably warned colleague etus was then probably warned colleague etus was then probably warned that he was under some kind of secret that he was under some kind of secret that he was under some kind of secret death sentence because guys like etus death sentence because guys like etus death sentence because guys like etus always have spies everywhere always have spies everywhere always have spies everywhere and so he decided to strike and so he decided to strike and so he decided to strike first when Felix traveled to Gaul in May first when Felix traveled to Gaul in May first when Felix traveled to Gaul in May of 4:30 eus sprung trumped up treason of 4:30 eus sprung trumped up treason of 4:30 eus sprung trumped up treason charges on his senior charges on his senior charges on his senior colleague refusing to let the no good colleague refusing to let the no good colleague refusing to let the no good traitor Felix time to wriggle away from traitor Felix time to wriggle away from traitor Felix time to wriggle away from the righteous Hand of Justice and by the righteous Hand of Justice and by the righteous Hand of Justice and by that I mean contact bdia and calmly that I mean contact bdia and calmly that I mean contact bdia and calmly explain the situation eus had the senior explain the situation eus had the senior explain the situation eus had the senior General executed immediately gallop cidia was now in a immediately gallop cidia was now in a bind it was clear that eus was conniving bind it was clear that eus was conniving bind it was clear that eus was conniving and backstabbing his way up the chain of and backstabbing his way up the chain of and backstabbing his way up the chain of command but there was very little that command but there was very little that command but there was very little that she could do about she could do about she could do about it as charismatic as he was methodical it as charismatic as he was methodical it as charismatic as he was methodical eus had secured the Loyalty of eus had secured the Loyalty of eus had secured the Loyalty of practically every Soldier underarms from practically every Soldier underarms from practically every Soldier underarms from Spain to Gaul Barbarian auxiliary Spain to Gaul Barbarian auxiliary Spain to Gaul Barbarian auxiliary regular legionary regular legionary regular legionary whichever so the Augusta couldn't just whichever so the Augusta couldn't just whichever so the Augusta couldn't just move against him without risking him

move against him without risking him move against him without risking him taking that final step in invading taking that final step in invading taking that final step in invading Italy her only hope lay in Italy her only hope lay in Italy her only hope lay in bonasus but unfortunately he was busy bonasus but unfortunately he was busy bonasus but unfortunately he was busy grappling with the vandals having crossed over the straight vandals having crossed over the straight of Gibralter again Sak had led his of Gibralter again Sak had led his of Gibralter again Sak had led his people on a steady March East until by people on a steady March East until by people on a steady March East until by early 4:30 they were on the border of early 4:30 they were on the border of early 4:30 they were on the border of numidia knocking on the door of the numidia knocking on the door of the numidia knocking on the door of the heart of Roman North heart of Roman North heart of Roman North Africa bonasus LED an army out to meet Africa bonasus LED an army out to meet Africa bonasus LED an army out to meet them but the Roman forces proved them but the Roman forces proved them but the Roman forces proved insufficient even though the vandals insufficient even though the vandals insufficient even though the vandals only had something like 15 to 20,000 only had something like 15 to 20,000 only had something like 15 to 20,000 fighting men that was still more than fighting men that was still more than fighting men that was still more than anything bonasus could anything bonasus could anything bonasus could muster after the Roman army was muster after the Roman army was muster after the Roman army was scattered the vandals kept moving and by scattered the vandals kept moving and by scattered the vandals kept moving and by the spring of 4:30 they were besieging the spring of 4:30 they were besieging the spring of 4:30 they were besieging the city of Hippo trapping the elderly the city of Hippo trapping the elderly the city of Hippo trapping the elderly Bishop Augustine Bishop Augustine Bishop Augustine inside facing the destruction of his inside facing the destruction of his inside facing the destruction of his City by Barbarian vandals who to insult City by Barbarian vandals who to insult City by Barbarian vandals who to insult to injury had all converted to the to injury had all converted to the to injury had all converted to the heretical sect of heretical sect of heretical sect of aryanism Augustine entered into terminal aryanism Augustine entered into terminal aryanism Augustine entered into terminal Decline and in August of 4:30 died Decline and in August of 4:30 died Decline and in August of 4:30 died before The Siege could be before The Siege could be before The Siege could be lifted but the siege would eventually be lifted but the siege would eventually be lifted but the siege would eventually be lifted though it was only a temporary lifted though it was only a temporary lifted though it was only a temporary reprieve hippo eventually did fall to reprieve hippo eventually did fall to reprieve hippo eventually did fall to the vandals but in the subsequent the vandals but in the subsequent the vandals but in the subsequent sacking the heretic ganeric was careful sacking the heretic ganeric was careful sacking the heretic ganeric was careful to protect Augustine's library and his to protect Augustine's library and his to protect Augustine's library and his church

church church such was the reputation of the great such was the reputation of the great such was the reputation of the great doctor even after his death with his rival General Under Siege death with his rival General Under Siege in North Africa eus was in no rush to in North Africa eus was in no rush to in North Africa eus was in no rush to force a confrontation with Pia for force a confrontation with Pia for force a confrontation with Pia for control of the control of the control of the West instead he spent almost all of 431 West instead he spent almost all of 431 West instead he spent almost all of 431 traveling first to the Rin Frontier and traveling first to the Rin Frontier and traveling first to the Rin Frontier and then up through noram to the danu then up through noram to the danu then up through noram to the danu frontier at every stop along the way he frontier at every stop along the way he frontier at every stop along the way he secured agreements from local Roman secured agreements from local Roman secured agreements from local Roman officers and local Barbarian Chieftains officers and local Barbarian Chieftains officers and local Barbarian Chieftains to support him personally in case of to support him personally in case of to support him personally in case of emergency by 432 he was back along the emergency by 432 he was back along the emergency by 432 he was back along the lower rine conducting a second campaign lower rine conducting a second campaign lower rine conducting a second campaign against the Franks again not to defeat against the Franks again not to defeat against the Franks again not to defeat them in any meaningful way but just to them in any meaningful way but just to them in any meaningful way but just to kick them around enough to make them kick them around enough to make them kick them around enough to make them pledge to supply troops should ETS call pledge to supply troops should ETS call pledge to supply troops should ETS call for them by 432 the situation in North them by 432 the situation in North Africa was still Grim but it appears Africa was still Grim but it appears Africa was still Grim but it appears that Grim had become The New that Grim had become The New that Grim had become The New Normal most of the key Roman cities were Normal most of the key Roman cities were Normal most of the key Roman cities were able for now to resist Vandal Siege and able for now to resist Vandal Siege and able for now to resist Vandal Siege and the vandals were not so numerous they the vandals were not so numerous they the vandals were not so numerous they could just flood the countryside and could just flood the countryside and could just flood the countryside and envelop the whole continent all at envelop the whole continent all at envelop the whole continent all at once in any case nothing was happening once in any case nothing was happening once in any case nothing was happening in North Africa in 432 that was so in North Africa in 432 that was so in North Africa in 432 that was so pressing that it stopped galop laidia pressing that it stopped galop laidia pressing that it stopped galop laidia from recalling bonasus to Revenge

apparently realizing that time was apparently realizing that time was playing into E's hands far more than playing into E's hands far more than playing into E's hands far more than hers pdia decided that she needed to act hers pdia decided that she needed to act hers pdia decided that she needed to act now or risk losing her status without now or risk losing her status without now or risk losing her status without eus ever needing to pull his eus ever needing to pull his eus ever needing to pull his sword when bonasus arrived in Rena the sword when bonasus arrived in Rena the sword when bonasus arrived in Rena the Imperial Court made a great show of Imperial Court made a great show of Imperial Court made a great show of welcoming him and it was shortly welcoming him and it was shortly welcoming him and it was shortly announced that he had been elevated to announced that he had been elevated to announced that he had been elevated to the rank of senior Magister the rank of senior Magister the rank of senior Magister militum so militum so militum so um question for the um question for the um question for the Augusta what does that mean for eus the Augusta what does that mean for eus the Augusta what does that mean for eus the uh current senior Magister militum oh uh current senior Magister militum oh uh current senior Magister militum oh he's been fired oh I see well good luck he's been fired oh I see well good luck he's been fired oh I see well good luck with that I think I'm going to go take with that I think I'm going to go take with that I think I'm going to go take cover cover cover now eus as you can well imagine did not now eus as you can well imagine did not now eus as you can well imagine did not take his sacking lying take his sacking lying take his sacking lying down indeed as soon as he got the news down indeed as soon as he got the news down indeed as soon as he got the news he mobilized his forces and marched them he mobilized his forces and marched them he mobilized his forces and marched them into Italy into Italy into Italy but a funny thing happened on ets's but a funny thing happened on ets's but a funny thing happened on ets's irresistible March to the Pinnacle of irresistible March to the Pinnacle of irresistible March to the Pinnacle of power and power and power and Prestige confronted along the road Prestige confronted along the road Prestige confronted along the road between Rena and Remy by hastily between Rena and Remy by hastily between Rena and Remy by hastily mustered Italian forces under the mustered Italian forces under the mustered Italian forces under the command of command of command of bonasus eus lost the battle stone cold bonasus eus lost the battle stone cold bonasus eus lost the battle stone cold lost the lost the lost the battle stripped of his command eus was battle stripped of his command eus was battle stripped of his command eus was now little more than a fugitive and so now little more than a fugitive and so now little more than a fugitive and so he did what fugitives so often do do he he did what fugitives so often do do he he did what fugitives so often do do he ran for it and he didn't stop running

ran for it and he didn't stop running ran for it and he didn't stop running until he knew he was someplace where the until he knew he was someplace where the until he knew he was someplace where the long arm of the Imperial Court could not long arm of the Imperial Court could not long arm of the Imperial Court could not reach him in this case that some place reach him in this case that some place reach him in this case that some place was the territory of the Huns north of was the territory of the Huns north of was the territory of the Huns north of the the the danu having lived with them for years danu having lived with them for years danu having lived with them for years and fought alongside them ever since eus and fought alongside them ever since eus and fought alongside them ever since eus was free to walk among the Huns as was free to walk among the Huns as was free to walk among the Huns as almost no other high ranking Roman was almost no other high ranking Roman was almost no other high ranking Roman was able to do among them he was safe and able to do among them he was safe and able to do among them he was safe and among them among them among them he could plot his revenge in this plotting eus had an ally revenge in this plotting eus had an ally in the hunet king Rua or rugila in the hunet king Rua or rugila in the hunet king Rua or rugila depending on which book you're depending on which book you're depending on which book you're reading since about 420 Rua had co-ruled reading since about 420 Rua had co-ruled reading since about 420 Rua had co-ruled a major faction of the Huns with his a major faction of the Huns with his a major faction of the Huns with his brother octar but since his brother's brother octar but since his brother's brother octar but since his brother's death Rua had been the sole king of what death Rua had been the sole king of what death Rua had been the sole king of what was fast becoming a United hun was fast becoming a United hun was fast becoming a United hun Confederacy the friendly ties between Confederacy the friendly ties between Confederacy the friendly ties between eus and Rua were longstanding as it eus and Rua were longstanding as it eus and Rua were longstanding as it appears that eus his years as a hostage appears that eus his years as a hostage appears that eus his years as a hostage had been spent in the same hun group had been spent in the same hun group had been spent in the same hun group that Rua had been a rising Noble that Rua had been a rising Noble that Rua had been a rising Noble in once before eus had shown up on his in once before eus had shown up on his in once before eus had shown up on his doorstep asking for a hun Army to back doorstep asking for a hun Army to back doorstep asking for a hun Army to back him in a Roman Civil War and that time him in a Roman Civil War and that time him in a Roman Civil War and that time around no blood had been shed and the around no blood had been shed and the around no blood had been shed and the Huns had been paid well for doing Huns had been paid well for doing Huns had been paid well for doing nothing more than walking to Italy and nothing more than walking to Italy and nothing more than walking to Italy and then walking back then walking back then walking back this time around the situation was this time around the situation was this time around the situation was clearly more dire for etus personally

clearly more dire for etus personally clearly more dire for etus personally and real fighting might be and real fighting might be and real fighting might be required but ruer was still happy to required but ruer was still happy to required but ruer was still happy to provide his old friend with the troops provide his old friend with the troops provide his old friend with the troops he needed the possible upside was too he needed the possible upside was too he needed the possible upside was too tantalizing to pass tantalizing to pass tantalizing to pass up if etus won he would be the master of up if etus won he would be the master of up if etus won he would be the master of the Western Empire and who doesn't like the Western Empire and who doesn't like the Western Empire and who doesn't like being close personal friends with the being close personal friends with the being close personal friends with the master of the Western Empire Meanwhile Back in Italy it became Empire Meanwhile Back in Italy it became clear that bonasus Victory had not come clear that bonasus Victory had not come clear that bonasus Victory had not come without a without a without a price the general himself had been price the general himself had been price the general himself had been wounded in the fighting and after wounded in the fighting and after wounded in the fighting and after lingering for a few months bonasus lingering for a few months bonasus lingering for a few months bonasus succumbed to his injuries in the Autumn succumbed to his injuries in the Autumn succumbed to his injuries in the Autumn of of of 432 he was succeeded by his son 432 he was succeeded by his son 432 he was succeeded by his son sebastianis whose first assignment was sebastianis whose first assignment was sebastianis whose first assignment was to ensure that eus stayed to ensure that eus stayed to ensure that eus stayed exiled in this he was entirely exiled in this he was entirely exiled in this he was entirely unsuccessful it is unclear to me whether unsuccessful it is unclear to me whether unsuccessful it is unclear to me whether eus returned to Italy in late 432 or eus returned to Italy in late 432 or eus returned to Italy in late 432 or early early early 433 But whichever it was when he did 433 But whichever it was when he did 433 But whichever it was when he did come back he came at the head of a come back he came at the head of a come back he came at the head of a powerful hunt powerful hunt powerful hunt Army this new Army easily swept aside Army this new Army easily swept aside Army this new Army easily swept aside the Italian forces and eus forced his the Italian forces and eus forced his the Italian forces and eus forced his way into Rena where he humbly asked to way into Rena where he humbly asked to way into Rena where he humbly asked to be reinstated to his old be reinstated to his old be reinstated to his old position and how could pidia say no what position and how could pidia say no what position and how could pidia say no what with how nicely eus was asking at all with how nicely eus was asking at all with how nicely eus was asking at all idus completed his takeover of the west idus completed his takeover of the west idus completed his takeover of the west by taking title of all the lands that

by taking title of all the lands that by taking title of all the lands that had been owned by had been owned by had been owned by bonasus and then kind of creepily bonasus and then kind of creepily bonasus and then kind of creepily marrying his late rival's Widow which I marrying his late rival's Widow which I marrying his late rival's Widow which I can't imagine was any fun for her at can't imagine was any fun for her at can't imagine was any fun for her at all so now eus was the most powerful all so now eus was the most powerful all so now eus was the most powerful Soldier and Statesman in the west he was Soldier and Statesman in the west he was Soldier and Statesman in the west he was just as Rua had hoped the master of the just as Rua had hoped the master of the just as Rua had hoped the master of the Western Empire Western Empire Western Empire and flavius eus would not relinquish and flavius eus would not relinquish and flavius eus would not relinquish this title for a good 20 years making this title for a good 20 years making this title for a good 20 years making him easily one of the most important men him easily one of the most important men him easily one of the most important men of the fth century and when you get of the fth century and when you get of the fth century and when you get right down to it one of the most right down to it one of the most right down to it one of the most important men in the whole of Roman important men in the whole of Roman important men in the whole of Roman history he would manage the west through history he would manage the west through history he would manage the west through its final phase of semi- stability and its final phase of semi- stability and its final phase of semi- stability and then successfully see it through one then successfully see it through one then successfully see it through one last great crisis before he last great crisis before he last great crisis before he died that crisis of course has a name died that crisis of course has a name died that crisis of course has a name and a face and they will be shown to us and a face and they will be shown to us and a face and they will be shown to us for the first time next for the first time next for the first time next week because as happy as Ru must have week because as happy as Ru must have week because as happy as Ru must have been to see his old friend eus attain been to see his old friend eus attain been to see his old friend eus attain Such Great Heights he did not live to Such Great Heights he did not live to Such Great Heights he did not live to enjoy the fruits of his enjoy the fruits of his enjoy the fruits of his friendship dying in 434 Rua would be friendship dying in 434 Rua would be friendship dying in 434 Rua would be succeeded by his two nephews an elder succeeded by his two nephews an elder succeeded by his two nephews an elder brother known as BEDA or Buddha whose brother known as BEDA or Buddha whose brother known as BEDA or Buddha whose name incidentally is where Scholars name incidentally is where Scholars name incidentally is where Scholars think the Buddha in Buddha Apes is think the Buddha in Buddha Apes is think the Buddha in Buddha Apes is derived from and a younger brother whose derived from and a younger brother whose derived from and a younger brother whose name is synonymous with all that is name is synonymous with all that is name is synonymous with all that is great and terrible a Tilla the Hun

great and terrible a Tilla the Hun great and terrible a Tilla the Hun [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode Rome episode Rome episode 169 Huns and vandals and Goths oh 169 Huns and vandals and Goths oh 169 Huns and vandals and Goths oh my as you know the Huns have been my as you know the Huns have been my as you know the Huns have been playing a major role in Roman politics playing a major role in Roman politics playing a major role in Roman politics for the last 50 years at least arriving for the last 50 years at least arriving for the last 50 years at least arriving on the Hungarian plane back in the 370s on the Hungarian plane back in the 370s on the Hungarian plane back in the 370s the Hun sparked a multi-generational the Hun sparked a multi-generational the Hun sparked a multi-generational migration of the former native tribes of migration of the former native tribes of migration of the former native tribes of the region into Roman territory which the region into Roman territory which the region into Roman territory which led to among other things the battle of led to among other things the battle of led to among other things the battle of adrianople the mass invasion of 406 the adrianople the mass invasion of 406 the adrianople the mass invasion of 406 the sack of Rome and now the Vandal takeover sack of Rome and now the Vandal takeover sack of Rome and now the Vandal takeover of North of North of North Africa this is to say nothing of the Africa this is to say nothing of the Africa this is to say nothing of the Endless revolts Civil Wars and Endless revolts Civil Wars and Endless revolts Civil Wars and assassinations all this demographic assassinations all this demographic assassinations all this demographic unrest had forced the Roman rans to deal unrest had forced the Roman rans to deal unrest had forced the Roman rans to deal with within their own with within their own with within their own ranks but for the most part the hunt ranks but for the most part the hunt ranks but for the most part the hunt impact on the Roman world had thus far impact on the Roman world had thus far impact on the Roman world had thus far been

been been indirect aside from the brief abortive indirect aside from the brief abortive indirect aside from the brief abortive thrusts of alen in the early 400s the thrusts of alen in the early 400s the thrusts of alen in the early 400s the Hunts had basically stayed on the north Hunts had basically stayed on the north Hunts had basically stayed on the north side of the danu side of the danu side of the danu river their arrival in the West Was An river their arrival in the West Was An river their arrival in the West Was An Epoch defining event for the Romans sure Epoch defining event for the Romans sure Epoch defining event for the Romans sure but mostly in a domino toppling sort of but mostly in a domino toppling sort of but mostly in a domino toppling sort of way rather than a I'm punching you way rather than a I'm punching you way rather than a I'm punching you directly in the face sort of directly in the face sort of directly in the face sort of way but that was all about to change new way but that was all about to change new way but that was all about to change new leaders were about to take over the leaders were about to take over the leaders were about to take over the Hunts and new leadership meant new Hunts and new leadership meant new Hunts and new leadership meant new policies and new policies meant new policies and new policies meant new policies and new policies meant new headaches for the Roman Empire headaches headaches for the Roman Empire headaches headaches for the Roman Empire headaches caused by repeated hun punches to the face when alen died in 412 you'll recall face when alen died in 412 you'll recall that his Coalition split into three that his Coalition split into three that his Coalition split into three major major major factions each pursued its own course and factions each pursued its own course and factions each pursued its own course and was led by its own leaders for the next was led by its own leaders for the next was led by its own leaders for the next decade or so but by the mid 420s they decade or so but by the mid 420s they decade or so but by the mid 420s they began Rec coalescing around a pair of began Rec coalescing around a pair of began Rec coalescing around a pair of brother Kings who I introduced briefly brother Kings who I introduced briefly brother Kings who I introduced briefly last week octar and last week octar and last week octar and Rua this recentralization of hun power Rua this recentralization of hun power Rua this recentralization of hun power naturally led the brothers to think of naturally led the brothers to think of naturally led the brothers to think of ways to use their new strength to their ways to use their new strength to their ways to use their new strength to their advantage and they hid upon the idea of advantage and they hid upon the idea of advantage and they hid upon the idea of making the Romans pay for the privilege making the Romans pay for the privilege making the Romans pay for the privilege of not being of not being of not being attacked I don't know if they ever attacked I don't know if they ever attacked I don't know if they ever actually plan to follow through on the actually plan to follow through on the actually plan to follow through on the threats they began issuing to threats they began issuing to threats they began issuing to Constantinople but I kind of like to Constantinople but I kind of like to Constantinople but I kind of like to think that they didn't that Rua and think that they didn't that Rua and think that they didn't that Rua and octar were fine with just sitting around

octar were fine with just sitting around octar were fine with just sitting around doing nothing and were like hey the doing nothing and were like hey the doing nothing and were like hey the Romans don't know that we're fine with Romans don't know that we're fine with Romans don't know that we're fine with just sitting around and doing nothing so just sitting around and doing nothing so just sitting around and doing nothing so let's see if we can trick them into let's see if we can trick them into let's see if we can trick them into forking over a bunch of forking over a bunch of forking over a bunch of gold at some point in the mid 420s they gold at some point in the mid 420s they gold at some point in the mid 420s they sent envoys down to Constantinople sent envoys down to Constantinople sent envoys down to Constantinople demanding an annual payment of 350 lb of demanding an annual payment of 350 lb of demanding an annual payment of 350 lb of gold or we will invade your Empire yeah gold or we will invade your Empire yeah gold or we will invade your Empire yeah that's the ticket do you think they that's the ticket do you think they that's the ticket do you think they bought bought bought it the Romans did indeed buy it 350 lbs it the Romans did indeed buy it 350 lbs it the Romans did indeed buy it 350 lbs of gold was a lot but not backbreaking of gold was a lot but not backbreaking of gold was a lot but not backbreaking and the Huns were awfully menacing what and the Huns were awfully menacing what and the Huns were awfully menacing what with their ridiculous horsemanship and with their ridiculous horsemanship and with their ridiculous horsemanship and crazy accurate crazy accurate crazy accurate archers so theodosius II's ministers archers so theodosius II's ministers archers so theodosius II's ministers agreed to the terms and for the next agreed to the terms and for the next agreed to the terms and for the next decade sent along the gold every year decade sent along the gold every year decade sent along the gold every year and in return the Huns kept right on and in return the Huns kept right on and in return the Huns kept right on doing nothing which is pretty good work doing nothing which is pretty good work doing nothing which is pretty good work if you can get if you can get if you can get it this new status quo endured through it this new status quo endured through it this new status quo endured through oar's death around 4:30 and continued oar's death around 4:30 and continued oar's death around 4:30 and continued unchanged until the end of Rua's life in 434 now it is fairly easy to draw a line 434 now it is fairly easy to draw a line in the sand between Rua and octar on one in the sand between Rua and octar on one in the sand between Rua and octar on one side and bled and Atilla on the other side and bled and Atilla on the other side and bled and Atilla on the other and say well on this side the Hun were and say well on this side the Hun were and say well on this side the Hun were content to indirectly influence Roman content to indirectly influence Roman content to indirectly influence Roman politics and on this side they Dove head politics and on this side they Dove head politics and on this side they Dove head first into direct action but it's not first into direct action but it's not first into direct action but it's not quite that quite that quite that simple for one thing when you get right

simple for one thing when you get right simple for one thing when you get right down to it granting ets's request for a down to it granting ets's request for a down to it granting ets's request for a field Army to go drive bonasus from field Army to go drive bonasus from field Army to go drive bonasus from Power isn't exactly indirect influence Power isn't exactly indirect influence Power isn't exactly indirect influence but you could make the case that it but you could make the case that it but you could make the case that it really really really was but what is less debatable is the was but what is less debatable is the was but what is less debatable is the fact that Rua almost certainly died on fact that Rua almost certainly died on fact that Rua almost certainly died on the Roman side of the Daniel the Roman side of the Daniel the Roman side of the Daniel and what was he doing on the Roman side and what was he doing on the Roman side and what was he doing on the Roman side of the danu was he on some diplomatic of the danu was he on some diplomatic of the danu was he on some diplomatic Mission doing some Mission doing some Mission doing some sightseeing no he was leading a Hun sightseeing no he was leading a Hun sightseeing no he was leading a Hun invasion of invasion of invasion of moesia so the aggressive posture of the moesia so the aggressive posture of the moesia so the aggressive posture of the Huns in the middle fifth century cannot Huns in the middle fifth century cannot Huns in the middle fifth century cannot be solely attributed to Atilla clearly be solely attributed to Atilla clearly be solely attributed to Atilla clearly they were moving in that direction already but that said Atilla and his already but that said Atilla and his brother BEDA were definitely more brother BEDA were definitely more brother BEDA were definitely more aggressive than Rua and Oar had aggressive than Rua and Oar had aggressive than Rua and Oar had been this most recent campaign into been this most recent campaign into been this most recent campaign into Roman territory for example was mostly a Roman territory for example was mostly a Roman territory for example was mostly a case of Hot Pursuit taking the Huns case of Hot Pursuit taking the Huns case of Hot Pursuit taking the Huns across the border than it was an attack across the border than it was an attack across the border than it was an attack on the Romans per on the Romans per on the Romans per se a few subject tribes had tried to se a few subject tribes had tried to se a few subject tribes had tried to break free of hun Domination by fleeing break free of hun Domination by fleeing break free of hun Domination by fleeing into the Empire and rather than let them into the Empire and rather than let them into the Empire and rather than let them go Rua had launched a Pursuit go Rua had launched a Pursuit go Rua had launched a Pursuit International borders and treaties be International borders and treaties be International borders and treaties be damned so when he died and bl and a damned so when he died and bl and a damned so when he died and bl and a succeeded him they and a hun Army were succeeded him they and a hun Army were succeeded him they and a hun Army were actually in Roman actually in Roman actually in Roman territory which the court of territory which the court of territory which the court of Constantinople was not at all happy Constantinople was not at all happy Constantinople was not at all happy about but when Imperial envoys went out

about but when Imperial envoys went out about but when Imperial envoys went out to remind Rua that hey this is exactly to remind Rua that hey this is exactly to remind Rua that hey this is exactly the sort of thing we've been paying you the sort of thing we've been paying you the sort of thing we've been paying you not to do they were greeted and said by not to do they were greeted and said by not to do they were greeted and said by the newly ascended Kings BL and AA who the newly ascended Kings BL and AA who the newly ascended Kings BL and AA who were looking to flex their muscles were looking to flex their muscles were looking to flex their muscles politically the brothers were happy to politically the brothers were happy to politically the brothers were happy to leave they said but only after the leave they said but only after the leave they said but only after the Romans agreed to double the annual Romans agreed to double the annual Romans agreed to double the annual Indemnity to 700 lb of gold and open up Indemnity to 700 lb of gold and open up Indemnity to 700 lb of gold and open up Roman markets to hunt Traders without Roman markets to hunt Traders without Roman markets to hunt Traders without barrier or restriction a 700 lb of gold was a lot restriction a 700 lb of gold was a lot more than 350 lb of gold but given the more than 350 lb of gold but given the more than 350 lb of gold but given the circumstances and a cold calculation of circumstances and a cold calculation of circumstances and a cold calculation of how disastrous a prolonged war with the how disastrous a prolonged war with the how disastrous a prolonged war with the Hunts would be the envoys agreed to the Hunts would be the envoys agreed to the Hunts would be the envoys agreed to the terms and the Huns withdrew back to terms and the Huns withdrew back to terms and the Huns withdrew back to their side of the danu satisfied with the barrel they had just satisfied with the barrel they had just laid the Romans over BL and Atilla let laid the Romans over BL and Atilla let laid the Romans over BL and Atilla let the Empire alone for the time being and the Empire alone for the time being and the Empire alone for the time being and instead turned their attention to the instead turned their attention to the instead turned their attention to the other great gold egg L Goose the other great gold egg L Goose the other great gold egg L Goose the cits and though it would be 5 years cits and though it would be 5 years cits and though it would be 5 years before the Huns turned their attention before the Huns turned their attention before the Huns turned their attention back to Rome Atilla had learned a very back to Rome Atilla had learned a very back to Rome Atilla had learned a very specific lesson from this first specific lesson from this first specific lesson from this first encounter with the encounter with the encounter with the Romans they could be pushed around and Romans they could be pushed around and Romans they could be pushed around and fairly easily at that now one of the circumstances that had now one of the circumstances that had led Constantinople to so readily agree led Constantinople to so readily agree led Constantinople to so readily agree to pay the Huns rather than fight them to pay the Huns rather than fight them to pay the Huns rather than fight them was the fact that they had recently was the fact that they had recently was the fact that they had recently dispatched a good chunk of their dispatched a good chunk of their dispatched a good chunk of their available forces to take care of a

available forces to take care of a available forces to take care of a problem that technically wasn't really problem that technically wasn't really problem that technically wasn't really their problem at their problem at their problem at all but given how depleted and at each all but given how depleted and at each all but given how depleted and at each other's throats the Western forces were other's throats the Western forces were other's throats the Western forces were somebody had to do something about the somebody had to do something about the somebody had to do something about the Vandal invasion of North Vandal invasion of North Vandal invasion of North Africa so 431 theodosius II had sent Africa so 431 theodosius II had sent Africa so 431 theodosius II had sent troops to North Africa to deal with what troops to North Africa to deal with what troops to North Africa to deal with what was really his cousin valentinian's was really his cousin valentinian's was really his cousin valentinian's problem the Eastern expedition was led problem the Eastern expedition was led problem the Eastern expedition was led by the general aspar who was the son of by the general aspar who was the son of by the general aspar who was the son of ardore the general who had gotten ardore the general who had gotten ardore the general who had gotten valentinian onto the throne in the first valentinian onto the throne in the first valentinian onto the throne in the first place asbar and his men were not able to place asbar and his men were not able to place asbar and his men were not able to roll back the Vandal tide but they were roll back the Vandal tide but they were roll back the Vandal tide but they were able to stabilize the situation and pav able to stabilize the situation and pav able to stabilize the situation and pav the way for a treaty between Rena and the way for a treaty between Rena and the way for a treaty between Rena and the Vandals the Vandals the Vandals brokered by asbar in brokered by asbar in brokered by asbar in 435 the treaty seeded the vandals 435 the treaty seeded the vandals 435 the treaty seeded the vandals control of control of control of numia in exchange the vandals agreed to numia in exchange the vandals agreed to numia in exchange the vandals agreed to stay out of the province of Africa thus stay out of the province of Africa thus stay out of the province of Africa thus preserving at least for now Italy's preserving at least for now Italy's preserving at least for now Italy's access to the grain it so badly access to the grain it so badly access to the grain it so badly needed deal with this vandals in hand needed deal with this vandals in hand needed deal with this vandals in hand flavus eus now the dominant General and flavus eus now the dominant General and flavus eus now the dominant General and Statesman in the west was able to turn Statesman in the west was able to turn Statesman in the west was able to turn his attention back to Gaul which he was his attention back to Gaul which he was his attention back to Gaul which he was intent on reimposing order intent on reimposing order intent on reimposing order upon if he could get a permanent handle upon if he could get a permanent handle upon if he could get a permanent handle on the Myriad independent tribes who now on the Myriad independent tribes who now on the Myriad independent tribes who now form the core of the Region's population form the core of the Region's population form the core of the Region's population he might be able to turn his attention he might be able to turn his attention he might be able to turn his attention more fully to North Africa and expel the

more fully to North Africa and expel the more fully to North Africa and expel the vandals once and for vandals once and for vandals once and for all but despite his best efforts the all but despite his best efforts the all but despite his best efforts the provinces of Western Europe would remain provinces of Western Europe would remain provinces of Western Europe would remain a slippery snake that would defy ets's a slippery snake that would defy ets's a slippery snake that would defy ets's attempt to turn his back on them time attempt to turn his back on them time attempt to turn his back on them time and time again and time again and time again this time it was the burgundians in this time it was the burgundians in this time it was the burgundians in Northern Gaul who raised ets's blood Northern Gaul who raised ets's blood Northern Gaul who raised ets's blood pressure having been granted lands by pressure having been granted lands by pressure having been granted lands by hanus in the settlements following the hanus in the settlements following the hanus in the settlements following the fall of jenus the burgundians were now fall of jenus the burgundians were now fall of jenus the burgundians were now looking to extend their territory looking to extend their territory looking to extend their territory Westward and began menacing their Westward and began menacing their Westward and began menacing their neighbors in Gallia neighbors in Gallia neighbors in Gallia belgica eus led a Roman army against the belgica eus led a Roman army against the belgica eus led a Roman army against the burgundians in burgundians in burgundians in 436 and the general succeeded in pushing 436 and the general succeeded in pushing 436 and the general succeeded in pushing them back into their agreed upon plac in them back into their agreed upon plac in them back into their agreed upon plac in the the the world the victory was complete enough world the victory was complete enough world the victory was complete enough that the burgundians agreed not only to that the burgundians agreed not only to that the burgundians agreed not only to stay put but also to pay what amounted stay put but also to pay what amounted stay put but also to pay what amounted to a fine for breaking the to a fine for breaking the to a fine for breaking the peace thinking that this was the end of peace thinking that this was the end of peace thinking that this was the end of it the Roman army withdrew and the it the Roman army withdrew and the it the Roman army withdrew and the burgundians got to work hustling up the burgundians got to work hustling up the burgundians got to work hustling up the cash they had agreed to cash they had agreed to cash they had agreed to pay but that was not the end of it at pay but that was not the end of it at pay but that was not the end of it at least not for least not for least not for etus agreements were nice but agreements etus agreements were nice but agreements etus agreements were nice but agreements could be broken etus wanted a more could be broken etus wanted a more could be broken etus wanted a more permanent solution to the problem of permanent solution to the problem of permanent solution to the problem of Burgundian Burgundian Burgundian aggression so we contacted some old aggression so we contacted some old aggression so we contacted some old friends in the Huns and asked them if friends in the Huns and asked them if friends in the Huns and asked them if they wanted to make a quick they wanted to make a quick they wanted to make a quick Buck the job was simple ride into the Buck the job was simple ride into the Buck the job was simple ride into the territory of the burgundians and

territory of the burgundians and territory of the burgundians and slaughter them every last one of slaughter them every last one of slaughter them every last one of them the Huns agreed because it's not them the Huns agreed because it's not them the Huns agreed because it's not like they had Scruples about this sort like they had Scruples about this sort like they had Scruples about this sort of thing and in 437 a horde of them rode of thing and in 437 a horde of them rode of thing and in 437 a horde of them rode into to town at high speed and commenced into to town at high speed and commenced into to town at high speed and commenced a a a slaughtering some 20,000 burgundians slaughtering some 20,000 burgundians slaughtering some 20,000 burgundians were killed in the ensuing Massacre were killed in the ensuing Massacre were killed in the ensuing Massacre including the Old King gundahar who including the Old King gundahar who including the Old King gundahar who you'll recall was once upon a time one you'll recall was once upon a time one you'll recall was once upon a time one of the major Powers backing of the major Powers backing of the major Powers backing jenus the Huns did not succeed in jenus the Huns did not succeed in jenus the Huns did not succeed in snuffing out every last man woman and snuffing out every last man woman and snuffing out every last man woman and child but as you can imagine it would be child but as you can imagine it would be child but as you can imagine it would be a while before the burgundians caused a while before the burgundians caused a while before the burgundians caused any trouble for the Romans again while this Slaughter was unfolding eus while this Slaughter was unfolding eus Gallop cyia valentinian III and the rest Gallop cyia valentinian III and the rest Gallop cyia valentinian III and the rest of the western Court were off on a of the western Court were off on a of the western Court were off on a holiday to holiday to holiday to Constantinople you may not have noticed Constantinople you may not have noticed Constantinople you may not have noticed because like his Uncle hanus valentinian because like his Uncle hanus valentinian because like his Uncle hanus valentinian III isn't really much of an emperor so III isn't really much of an emperor so III isn't really much of an emperor so he gets properly relegated to the he gets properly relegated to the he gets properly relegated to the background of his own Reign but the boy background of his own Reign but the boy background of his own Reign but the boy has grown up and just celebrated his has grown up and just celebrated his has grown up and just celebrated his 18th 18th 18th birthday so the family traveled to birthday so the family traveled to birthday so the family traveled to constant anle to consummate the constant anle to consummate the constant anle to consummate the agreement made by galapia and Ilia agreement made by galapia and Ilia agreement made by galapia and Ilia pulcheria way back in the early pulcheria way back in the early pulcheria way back in the early 420s in mid 437 18-year-old valentinian 420s in mid 437 18-year-old valentinian 420s in mid 437 18-year-old valentinian III married his 15-year-old cousin lysia III married his 15-year-old cousin lysia III married his 15-year-old cousin lysia udia with the two halves of the

udia with the two halves of the udia with the two halves of the theodocian family reunited everyone theodocian family reunited everyone theodocian family reunited everyone could rest easy knowing that the future could rest easy knowing that the future could rest easy knowing that the future of the dynasty was in safe of the dynasty was in safe of the dynasty was in safe hands what's that you say valentinian hands what's that you say valentinian hands what's that you say valentinian III and theodocious II are actually III and theodocious II are actually III and theodocious II are actually destined to be the last Blood Emperors destined to be the last Blood Emperors destined to be the last Blood Emperors of the theodocian dynasty surely not of the theodocian dynasty surely not of the theodocian dynasty surely not we've got two of them teenagers mind you we've got two of them teenagers mind you we've got two of them teenagers mind you all set to keep this thing in the family all set to keep this thing in the family all set to keep this thing in the family it's not going to work out huh well okay it's not going to work out huh well okay it's not going to work out huh well okay that should be an interesting and bloody that should be an interesting and bloody that should be an interesting and bloody transition when we get to it staying in the East for the moment it staying in the East for the moment the next year saw the publication of the next year saw the publication of the next year saw the publication of theodus II's one true contribution to theodus II's one true contribution to theodus II's one true contribution to world history a contribution that was world history a contribution that was world history a contribution that was apparently undertaken of his own initiative though the theodocian walls initiative though the theodocian walls that bear his name are undoubtedly more that bear his name are undoubtedly more that bear his name are undoubtedly more famous the walls are his in name only as famous the walls are his in name only as famous the walls are his in name only as he was just a kid when they were he was just a kid when they were he was just a kid when they were completed by the petorian prefect completed by the petorian prefect completed by the petorian prefect anthemus but with the publication in 438 anthemus but with the publication in 438 anthemus but with the publication in 438 of the code of theodocious the Eastern of the code of theodocious the Eastern of the code of theodocious the Eastern Emperor finally had something something Emperor finally had something something Emperor finally had something something he could point to and say that was me I he could point to and say that was me I he could point to and say that was me I did did did that the code was the culmination of that the code was the culmination of that the code was the culmination of nearly a decade's work in 429 theodosius nearly a decade's work in 429 theodosius nearly a decade's work in 429 theodosius had appointed a commission to track down had appointed a commission to track down had appointed a commission to track down and compile every single law decree and compile every single law decree and compile every single law decree edict or opinion issued by Roman

edict or opinion issued by Roman edict or opinion issued by Roman emperors since 313 emperors since 313 emperors since 313 ad why ad why ad why 313 well if you'll recall that was the 313 well if you'll recall that was the 313 well if you'll recall that was the year after constant defeated maxentius year after constant defeated maxentius year after constant defeated maxentius at the mvan bridge an occasion now at the mvan bridge an occasion now at the mvan bridge an occasion now understood to Mark the beginning of the understood to Mark the beginning of the understood to Mark the beginning of the Christian Roman Christian Roman Christian Roman Empire concerned that the Empire's laws Empire concerned that the Empire's laws Empire concerned that the Empire's laws had become unwieldy and disorganized had become unwieldy and disorganized had become unwieldy and disorganized theodocious wanted to create a single theodocious wanted to create a single theodocious wanted to create a single source that would define the Empire source that would define the Empire source that would define the Empire politically economically religiously and politically economically religiously and politically economically religiously and culturally for generations to culturally for generations to culturally for generations to come most especially the personally come most especially the personally come most especially the personally Pious theodocious wanted to establish Pious theodocious wanted to establish Pious theodocious wanted to establish once and for all that Orthodox once and for all that Orthodox once and for all that Orthodox Christianity and Imperial rule were Christianity and Imperial rule were Christianity and Imperial rule were inseparable two sides of the same coin published in 16 volumes the code coin published in 16 volumes the code was immediately useful to jurists but was immediately useful to jurists but was immediately useful to jurists but still led to complications and still led to complications and still led to complications and confusion focused almost exclusively on confusion focused almost exclusively on confusion focused almost exclusively on compiling a Century's worth of scattered compiling a Century's worth of scattered compiling a Century's worth of scattered laws theodosia's commission declined to laws theodosia's commission declined to laws theodosia's commission declined to include any sort of explanatory include any sort of explanatory include any sort of explanatory commentary to help lawyers interpret the commentary to help lawyers interpret the commentary to help lawyers interpret the raw raw raw decrees the commission further declined decrees the commission further declined decrees the commission further declined to even make editorial decisions about to even make editorial decisions about to even make editorial decisions about which of two contradictory laws to which of two contradictory laws to which of two contradictory laws to include in the code throwing both in if include in the code throwing both in if include in the code throwing both in if each was found to be independently each was found to be independently each was found to be independently authentic as a result the main Legacy of

authentic as a result the main Legacy of authentic as a result the main Legacy of the theodocian code was not that it in the theodocian code was not that it in the theodocian code was not that it in itself became a lawyer's Bible but itself became a lawyer's Bible but itself became a lawyer's Bible but rather that it forms a huge chunk of the rather that it forms a huge chunk of the rather that it forms a huge chunk of the code of code of code of Justinian compiled and written a century Justinian compiled and written a century Justinian compiled and written a century later the Justinian Code did become a later the Justinian Code did become a later the Justinian Code did become a lawyer's Bible that included helpful lawyer's Bible that included helpful lawyer's Bible that included helpful commentary and a rationalized set of commentary and a rationalized set of commentary and a rationalized set of laws that eliminated as many laws that eliminated as many laws that eliminated as many contradictions as they could find all contradictions as they could find all contradictions as they could find all tasks made infinitely Easier by the tasks made infinitely Easier by the tasks made infinitely Easier by the initial work done by theodosia's initial work done by theodosia's initial work done by theodosia's Commission in the fifth Commission in the fifth Commission in the fifth century so good work theodocious II you century so good work theodocious II you century so good work theodocious II you alone among your fifth century Imperial alone among your fifth century Imperial alone among your fifth century Imperial Brothers have managed to do something Brothers have managed to do something Brothers have managed to do something useful and dare I say beneficial for useful and dare I say beneficial for useful and dare I say beneficial for your people while theodosius was basking in people while theodosius was basking in the glow of his own usefulness edius was the glow of his own usefulness edius was the glow of his own usefulness edius was back in Gaul in 438 trying to keep a back in Gaul in 438 trying to keep a back in Gaul in 438 trying to keep a handle on the anarchic mess that was the handle on the anarchic mess that was the handle on the anarchic mess that was the Western Western Western Empire suffice it to say the theodocian Empire suffice it to say the theodocian Empire suffice it to say the theodocian code is not going to be minded much code is not going to be minded much code is not going to be minded much around these parts anytime soon around these parts anytime soon around these parts anytime soon for the rest of the year eus campaigned for the rest of the year eus campaigned for the rest of the year eus campaigned against one of those still loose tribes against one of those still loose tribes against one of those still loose tribes that had come over in 406 and still held that had come over in 406 and still held that had come over in 406 and still held on to some territory in on to some territory in on to some territory in hispania and the Goths who were once hispania and the Goths who were once hispania and the Goths who were once again trying to break out of the again trying to break out of the again trying to break out of the confines of confines of confines of aquatan more than anything else the aquatan more than anything else the aquatan more than anything else the gothic King theodoric wanted to seize gothic King theodoric wanted to seize gothic King theodoric wanted to seize the lands to the south of aquatan and

the lands to the south of aquatan and the lands to the south of aquatan and win control of a Mediterranean port for win control of a Mediterranean port for win control of a Mediterranean port for his people and he must have figured that his people and he must have figured that his people and he must have figured that eventually the Romans would be spread eventually the Romans would be spread eventually the Romans would be spread thin enough that he'd be able to break thin enough that he'd be able to break thin enough that he'd be able to break through but eus himself faced off through but eus himself faced off through but eus himself faced off against theodoric and once again against theodoric and once again against theodoric and once again defeated the Goths in defeated the Goths in defeated the Goths in battle theodoric offered terms of Peace battle theodoric offered terms of Peace battle theodoric offered terms of Peace but these were apparently rejected by but these were apparently rejected by but these were apparently rejected by the Romans as being too lenient so in the Romans as being too lenient so in the Romans as being too lenient so in 439 the Goths went back on the 439 the Goths went back on the 439 the Goths went back on the offensive this time however with eus offensive this time however with eus offensive this time however with eus back in Italy the Roman Counterattack back in Italy the Roman Counterattack back in Italy the Roman Counterattack was led by a subordinate General who was was led by a subordinate General who was was led by a subordinate General who was beaten captured and who then died in beaten captured and who then died in beaten captured and who then died in Gothic Gothic Gothic captivity the Romans were then forced to captivity the Romans were then forced to captivity the Romans were then forced to agree to terms with the Goths that were agree to terms with the Goths that were agree to terms with the Goths that were even more lenient than the terms they even more lenient than the terms they even more lenient than the terms they had rejected as too lenient just the had rejected as too lenient just the had rejected as too lenient just the year year year before a Gallow Roman Senator named before a Gallow Roman Senator named before a Gallow Roman Senator named avitus brokered a deal that likely avitus brokered a deal that likely avitus brokered a deal that likely involved the Romans recognizing the involved the Romans recognizing the involved the Romans recognizing the official Independence of the official Independence of the official Independence of the Goths that same aidus would later play a Goths that same aidus would later play a Goths that same aidus would later play a key role in swinging theodoric and the key role in swinging theodoric and the key role in swinging theodoric and the Goths to the Roman side during the Hun Goths to the Roman side during the Hun Goths to the Roman side during the Hun invasion of the early 450s and then a invasion of the early 450s and then a invasion of the early 450s and then a few years after that ascending to the few years after that ascending to the few years after that ascending to the Imperial Throne as a part of that Imperial Throne as a part of that Imperial Throne as a part of that interesting and bloody post valentinian interesting and bloody post valentinian interesting and bloody post valentinian the third transition I just hinted at the third transition I just hinted at the third transition I just hinted at but let's not get ahead of ourselves that same year saw the Western ourselves that same year saw the Western Empire dealt another

Empire dealt another Empire dealt another setback watching as the Romans continued setback watching as the Romans continued setback watching as the Romans continued to be tied down with conflicts in the to be tied down with conflicts in the to be tied down with conflicts in the north the Vandal King gen serak decided north the Vandal King gen serak decided north the Vandal King gen serak decided that he had nothing to gain by adhering that he had nothing to gain by adhering that he had nothing to gain by adhering to the terms of the treaty he had signed to the terms of the treaty he had signed to the terms of the treaty he had signed with Rome four years earlier staying put with Rome four years earlier staying put with Rome four years earlier staying put in New Media would just make him a chump in New Media would just make him a chump in New Media would just make him a chump because after all the rest of North because after all the rest of North because after all the rest of North Africa was just there for the taking no Africa was just there for the taking no Africa was just there for the taking no reason not to go for it it's not like reason not to go for it it's not like reason not to go for it it's not like the Romans are going to be able to do the Romans are going to be able to do the Romans are going to be able to do anything about it anything about it anything about it anyway so in 439 gar crossed the border anyway so in 439 gar crossed the border anyway so in 439 gar crossed the border into the province of into the province of into the province of Africa taken completely by surprise Africa taken completely by surprise Africa taken completely by surprise the thoroughly inadequate African the thoroughly inadequate African the thoroughly inadequate African garrisons proved no match for the garrisons proved no match for the garrisons proved no match for the vandals and The Barbarians were able to vandals and The Barbarians were able to vandals and The Barbarians were able to Walt right into Carthage without even Walt right into Carthage without even Walt right into Carthage without even putting it to a putting it to a putting it to a Siege with the entire North African Siege with the entire North African Siege with the entire North African Coastline from the Atlantic to Modern Coastline from the Atlantic to Modern Coastline from the Atlantic to Modern Tunisia now under his control ganser's Tunisia now under his control ganser's Tunisia now under his control ganser's Ambitions grew Ambitions grew Ambitions grew proportionately snatch and grab sackings proportionately snatch and grab sackings proportionately snatch and grab sackings were fine for nomadic tribes living a were fine for nomadic tribes living a were fine for nomadic tribes living a predatory existence but genseric now predatory existence but genseric now predatory existence but genseric now fancied him himself a civilized king of fancied him himself a civilized king of fancied him himself a civilized king of civilized civilized civilized lands so rather than terrorizing the lands so rather than terrorizing the lands so rather than terrorizing the citizens of Carthage caner instead citizens of Carthage caner instead citizens of Carthage caner instead embraced them as his new loyal subjects embraced them as his new loyal subjects embraced them as his new loyal subjects and declared that Carthage would now be and declared that Carthage would now be and declared that Carthage would now be the capital of a great Vandal Kingdom surprised by this turn of events Kingdom surprised by this turn of events the romanized north Africans well embrac

the romanized north Africans well embrac the romanized north Africans well embrac their new self-proclaimed King right their new self-proclaimed King right their new self-proclaimed King right back it's not like Rena had been much back it's not like Rena had been much back it's not like Rena had been much for wor about their needs lately despite for wor about their needs lately despite for wor about their needs lately despite the fact that the vandals had been the fact that the vandals had been the fact that the vandals had been menacing their homes for the last decade menacing their homes for the last decade menacing their homes for the last decade Rena had refused to prioritize North Rena had refused to prioritize North Rena had refused to prioritize North African interests choosing instead to African interests choosing instead to African interests choosing instead to focus on the crises consuming focus on the crises consuming focus on the crises consuming Continental Continental Continental Europe now that the vandals had Europe now that the vandals had Europe now that the vandals had basically won the citizens of North basically won the citizens of North basically won the citizens of North Africa greeted garak's decision to Africa greeted garak's decision to Africa greeted garak's decision to transform himself into a civilized King transform himself into a civilized King transform himself into a civilized King who respected the Civilized rights of who respected the Civilized rights of who respected the Civilized rights of civilized people with hope civilized people with hope civilized people with hope if the Vandal King really wanted to make if the Vandal King really wanted to make if the Vandal King really wanted to make a go of it the people of North Africa a go of it the people of North Africa a go of it the people of North Africa were basically ready to support were basically ready to support were basically ready to support him the Romans had abdicated their him the Romans had abdicated their him the Romans had abdicated their responsibilities so they were owed no responsibilities so they were owed no responsibilities so they were owed no more more more loyalty ganser's occupation of North loyalty ganser's occupation of North loyalty ganser's occupation of North Africa may have been just that an Africa may have been just that an Africa may have been just that an occupation but it was not the most occupation but it was not the most occupation but it was not the most actively opposed occupation of all time with the help of his new subjects time with the help of his new subjects genseric began to build a mass massive genseric began to build a mass massive genseric began to build a mass massive Fleet of ships to fulfill his dreams of Fleet of ships to fulfill his dreams of Fleet of ships to fulfill his dreams of further further further Conquest though the vandals had no real Conquest though the vandals had no real Conquest though the vandals had no real experience with sea fairing genseric was experience with sea fairing genseric was experience with sea fairing genseric was determined to use the ports of North determined to use the ports of North determined to use the ports of North Africa as a launching pad for the Africa as a launching pad for the Africa as a launching pad for the maritime conquest of the Mediterranean maritime conquest of the Mediterranean maritime conquest of the Mediterranean Sea in less than a year Vandal ships Sea in less than a year Vandal ships Sea in less than a year Vandal ships launched from Carthage and landed on launched from Carthage and landed on launched from Carthage and landed on Sicily where they began a systematic Sicily where they began a systematic Sicily where they began a systematic seizure of the

seizure of the seizure of the Island from there they continued to Island from there they continued to Island from there they continued to Branch out over the next few years Branch out over the next few years Branch out over the next few years taking control of Sardinia Corsica and taking control of Sardinia Corsica and taking control of Sardinia Corsica and the baller the baller the baller Islands the ease with which the vandals Islands the ease with which the vandals Islands the ease with which the vandals were able to control the Mediterranean were able to control the Mediterranean were able to control the Mediterranean is impressive given as I just mentioned is impressive given as I just mentioned is impressive given as I just mentioned they were not exactly a seagoing people they were not exactly a seagoing people they were not exactly a seagoing people the Phoenicians they were the Phoenicians they were the Phoenicians they were not but their exploits should not be too not but their exploits should not be too not but their exploits should not be too overblown it had been centuries since overblown it had been centuries since overblown it had been centuries since the Romans had had to deal with a the Romans had had to deal with a the Romans had had to deal with a hostile power roaming our sea and the hostile power roaming our sea and the hostile power roaming our sea and the Imperial Navy was not the most builtup Imperial Navy was not the most builtup Imperial Navy was not the most builtup or well-trained branch of the armed services the sudden emergence of Vandal services the sudden emergence of Vandal Pirates swarming over the islands of the Pirates swarming over the islands of the Pirates swarming over the islands of the Mediterranean was unprecedented and no Mediterranean was unprecedented and no Mediterranean was unprecedented and no one quite knew how to deal with one quite knew how to deal with one quite knew how to deal with them in a very real Way Rome was right them in a very real Way Rome was right them in a very real Way Rome was right back where it was before the Punic Wars back where it was before the Punic Wars back where it was before the Punic Wars with a hostile power based in North with a hostile power based in North with a hostile power based in North Africa controlling the Seas and menacing Africa controlling the Seas and menacing Africa controlling the Seas and menacing the Italian the Italian the Italian Coastline except that instead of being Coastline except that instead of being Coastline except that instead of being on the rising tide of the bell curve the on the rising tide of the bell curve the on the rising tide of the bell curve the Romans are now on the receding Romans are now on the receding Romans are now on the receding side I'm sure the ghost of Hannibal side I'm sure the ghost of Hannibal side I'm sure the ghost of Hannibal looked on with approval as this time the looked on with approval as this time the looked on with approval as this time the North African Maritime power would not North African Maritime power would not North African Maritime power would not be turned back and instead overwhelmed be turned back and instead overwhelmed be turned back and instead overwhelmed the Romans and eventually sack the the Romans and eventually sack the the Romans and eventually sack the Eternal City fulfilling the centuries Eternal City fulfilling the centuries Eternal City fulfilling the centuries gone dream of the Barker gone dream of the Barker gone dream of the Barker Clan but that too is for another busy

Clan but that too is for another busy Clan but that too is for another busy day just as had happened after the vandals just as had happened after the vandals initially crossed over into North Africa initially crossed over into North Africa initially crossed over into North Africa their entrance onto the waterways of the their entrance onto the waterways of the their entrance onto the waterways of the Mediterranean caught the attention of Mediterranean caught the attention of Mediterranean caught the attention of Constantinople and in 441 theodosius II Constantinople and in 441 theodosius II Constantinople and in 441 theodosius II ordered an expedition to try to stamp ordered an expedition to try to stamp ordered an expedition to try to stamp them them them out but after getting as far as Sicily out but after getting as far as Sicily out but after getting as far as Sicily this expedition was recalled to the this expedition was recalled to the this expedition was recalled to the east after 5 years of fighting in and east after 5 years of fighting in and east after 5 years of fighting in and around Armenia without making any around Armenia without making any around Armenia without making any appreciable gains appreciable gains appreciable gains the Huns decided that Rome was a far the Huns decided that Rome was a far the Huns decided that Rome was a far easier Target than CED Persia and easier Target than CED Persia and easier Target than CED Persia and returned to the danu frontier thirsty returned to the danu frontier thirsty returned to the danu frontier thirsty for blood and for blood and for blood and treasure and as if that wasn't bad treasure and as if that wasn't bad treasure and as if that wasn't bad enough the removal of the Hun threat enough the removal of the Hun threat enough the removal of the Hun threat freed up the CED forces who possibly freed up the CED forces who possibly freed up the CED forces who possibly acting at the prompting of Vandal acting at the prompting of Vandal acting at the prompting of Vandal ambassadors started attacking Roman ambassadors started attacking Roman ambassadors started attacking Roman positions along the eastern positions along the eastern positions along the eastern border with the Persians attacking in border with the Persians attacking in border with the Persians attacking in the Far East bed and Atilla decided that the Far East bed and Atilla decided that the Far East bed and Atilla decided that the time was ripe to squeeze a little the time was ripe to squeeze a little the time was ripe to squeeze a little bit more juice out of the Empire and so bit more juice out of the Empire and so bit more juice out of the Empire and so they began attacking Roman positions they began attacking Roman positions they began attacking Roman positions along the northern border next week this will all come to a border next week this will all come to a head though the CED threat will quickly head though the CED threat will quickly head though the CED threat will quickly dissipate the vandals were still growing dissipate the vandals were still growing dissipate the vandals were still growing strong and the Hun threat was just strong and the Hun threat was just strong and the Hun threat was just getting warmed getting warmed getting warmed up indeed next week we will see the up indeed next week we will see the up indeed next week we will see the first major success Hun invasion of the

first major success Hun invasion of the first major success Hun invasion of the Empire previous attempts had been Empire previous attempts had been Empire previous attempts had been half-hearted and half-hearted and half-hearted and short-lived but this time the Huns meant short-lived but this time the Huns meant short-lived but this time the Huns meant business and their ravaging of micia and business and their ravaging of micia and business and their ravaging of micia and thce in the early 440s will firmly thce in the early 440s will firmly thce in the early 440s will firmly cement the legend in the mind of every cement the legend in the mind of every cement the legend in the mind of every Roman that the Huns were as horrifying Roman that the Huns were as horrifying Roman that the Huns were as horrifying as they were invincible as they were invincible as they were invincible [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 170 Atilla cometh Rome episode 170 Atilla cometh Rome episode 170 Atilla cometh [Music] so last week we saw how the Myriad so last week we saw how the Myriad external pressures on the Roman Empire external pressures on the Roman Empire external pressures on the Roman Empire threaten to crack it up threaten to crack it up threaten to crack it up completely but you may have noticed that completely but you may have noticed that completely but you may have noticed that these external pressures were falling these external pressures were falling these external pressures were falling unevenly on the two administrative unevenly on the two administrative unevenly on the two administrative halves of the halves of the halves of the Empire sadly by the mid fth century the Empire sadly by the mid fth century the Empire sadly by the mid fth century the Western Empire had become little more Western Empire had become little more Western Empire had become little more than a semi functional Confederation of than a semi functional Confederation of than a semi functional Confederation of Barbarian tribes with the Imperial Court Barbarian tribes with the Imperial Court Barbarian tribes with the Imperial Court at Rena sort of managing to cling at at Rena sort of managing to cling at at Rena sort of managing to cling at some semblance of its former

some semblance of its former some semblance of its former Prestige huge swaths of what had once Prestige huge swaths of what had once Prestige huge swaths of what had once been a truly United political entity been a truly United political entity been a truly United political entity were now autonomous zones run with were now autonomous zones run with were now autonomous zones run with little regard for the emperor's little regard for the emperor's little regard for the emperor's Authority in contrast the Eastern Empire Authority in contrast the Eastern Empire Authority in contrast the Eastern Empire was doing pretty well for itself all was doing pretty well for itself all was doing pretty well for itself all things things things considering since hitting rock bottom considering since hitting rock bottom considering since hitting rock bottom with the double blow of Julian's failed with the double blow of Julian's failed with the double blow of Julian's failed campaign against the cids in the late campaign against the cids in the late campaign against the cids in the late 360s and the gothic War of the late 370s 360s and the gothic War of the late 370s 360s and the gothic War of the late 370s the East had actually rebounded the East had actually rebounded the East had actually rebounded nicely I don't mean to imply that the nicely I don't mean to imply that the nicely I don't mean to imply that the fifth century was some kind of picnic fifth century was some kind of picnic fifth century was some kind of picnic for Constantinople but you just don't for Constantinople but you just don't for Constantinople but you just don't see the succession of and then they see the succession of and then they see the succession of and then they signed a treaty giving away Egypt and signed a treaty giving away Egypt and signed a treaty giving away Egypt and then they signed a treaty giving away then they signed a treaty giving away then they signed a treaty giving away Greece and then they signed a treaty Greece and then they signed a treaty Greece and then they signed a treaty giving away capid doia the way you do giving away capid doia the way you do giving away capid doia the way you do with the with the with the west but this week the hammer or should west but this week the hammer or should west but this week the hammer or should I say the scourge is about to drop on I say the scourge is about to drop on I say the scourge is about to drop on the east as hard as it ever fell on the the east as hard as it ever fell on the the east as hard as it ever fell on the west and though Constantinople isn't west and though Constantinople isn't west and though Constantinople isn't about to to lose control of any land it about to to lose control of any land it about to to lose control of any land it is going to cost them a pretty penny to is going to cost them a pretty penny to is going to cost them a pretty penny to hang on to what's theirs because a till hang on to what's theirs because a till hang on to what's theirs because a till of the Hun drives a hard bargain so you'll recall from last week bargain so you'll recall from last week that through the 430s and into the early that through the 430s and into the early that through the 430s and into the early 440s the Eastern Empire was feeling 440s the Eastern Empire was feeling 440s the Eastern Empire was feeling secure enough in its own position that secure enough in its own position that secure enough in its own position that it was sending troops to the west to it was sending troops to the west to it was sending troops to the west to help contain the vandals in North help contain the vandals in North help contain the vandals in North Africa now this was not a purely Africa now this was not a purely Africa now this was not a purely altruistic Act V spreading across North altruistic Act V spreading across North altruistic Act V spreading across North Africa means vandals might eventually

Africa means vandals might eventually Africa means vandals might eventually reach Egypt which is a totally reach Egypt which is a totally reach Egypt which is a totally unacceptable unacceptable unacceptable development plus Vandal Pirates development plus Vandal Pirates development plus Vandal Pirates disrupting shipping lanes was bad for disrupting shipping lanes was bad for disrupting shipping lanes was bad for everyone's business both East and West everyone's business both East and West everyone's business both East and West alike but though containing the vandals alike but though containing the vandals alike but though containing the vandals was most certainly in the best strategic was most certainly in the best strategic was most certainly in the best strategic interest of Constantinople it was in a interest of Constantinople it was in a interest of Constantinople it was in a long-term preventative sort of long-term preventative sort of long-term preventative sort of way that luxury of being able to think way that luxury of being able to think way that luxury of being able to think longterm came to a screeching halt in longterm came to a screeching halt in longterm came to a screeching halt in 441 when the Eastern Empire was 441 when the Eastern Empire was 441 when the Eastern Empire was simultaneously attacked on two fronts by simultaneously attacked on two fronts by simultaneously attacked on two fronts by its two biggest potential enemies the its two biggest potential enemies the its two biggest potential enemies the cids in the Far East and the Huns in the cids in the Far East and the Huns in the cids in the Far East and the Huns in the north suddenly stripping off soldiers north suddenly stripping off soldiers north suddenly stripping off soldiers from the danu frontier and sending them from the danu frontier and sending them from the danu frontier and sending them off to Sicily to fight vandals seemed off to Sicily to fight vandals seemed off to Sicily to fight vandals seemed like a really really poor decision now just to get this out of the decision now just to get this out of the way the SED threat receded almost as way the SED threat receded almost as way the SED threat receded almost as quickly as it advanced quickly as it advanced quickly as it advanced it is possible that their brief it is possible that their brief it is possible that their brief offensive against Roman positions in offensive against Roman positions in offensive against Roman positions in Armenia had been launched at the behest Armenia had been launched at the behest Armenia had been launched at the behest of Vandal ambassadors who were looking of Vandal ambassadors who were looking of Vandal ambassadors who were looking to tie down Constantinople while gin to tie down Constantinople while gin to tie down Constantinople while gin serak moved to Annex the province of serak moved to Annex the province of serak moved to Annex the province of Africa but it appears that the Persian Africa but it appears that the Persian Africa but it appears that the Persian heart was never really in the attack heart was never really in the attack heart was never really in the attack becoming embroiled in a major war with becoming embroiled in a major war with becoming embroiled in a major war with the Romans just so some ill-mannered the Romans just so some ill-mannered the Romans just so some ill-mannered barbarians could see some land on the barbarians could see some land on the barbarians could see some land on the other side of the Mediterranean was no other side of the Mediterranean was no other side of the Mediterranean was no one's idea of good policy and the cage one's idea of good policy and the cage one's idea of good policy and the cage withdrew almost as quickly as they had

withdrew almost as quickly as they had withdrew almost as quickly as they had Advanced not that the vandals minded if Advanced not that the vandals minded if Advanced not that the vandals minded if they really were behind the brief they really were behind the brief they really were behind the brief campaign by that point Constantinople campaign by that point Constantinople campaign by that point Constantinople had its hands full anyway so CED had its hands full anyway so CED had its hands full anyway so CED aggression was no longer required aggression was no longer required aggression was no longer required because the Huns were feeling aggressive because the Huns were feeling aggressive because the Huns were feeling aggressive all on their own the Huns had returned to the danu own the Huns had returned to the danu frontier in force after 5 years of frontier in force after 5 years of frontier in force after 5 years of fruitless campaigning against the fruitless campaigning against the fruitless campaigning against the Persians Persians Persians likely hoping that they would be able to likely hoping that they would be able to likely hoping that they would be able to extract from the cits the same sort of extract from the cits the same sort of extract from the cits the same sort of Indemnity deal they had already Indemnity deal they had already Indemnity deal they had already extracted from extracted from extracted from Constantinople the Huns were now Constantinople the Huns were now Constantinople the Huns were now returning to the Hungarian plane returning to the Hungarian plane returning to the Hungarian plane disappointed disappointed disappointed men I'm just speculating here but I have men I'm just speculating here but I have men I'm just speculating here but I have to believe that 5 years worth of feudal to believe that 5 years worth of feudal to believe that 5 years worth of feudal campaigning in the East played a role in campaigning in the East played a role in campaigning in the East played a role in bled and atilla's decision to adopt a bled and atilla's decision to adopt a bled and atilla's decision to adopt a far more hostile posture towards the far more hostile posture towards the far more hostile posture towards the Romans when they Romans when they Romans when they returned it seems reasonable that there returned it seems reasonable that there returned it seems reasonable that there would would have been a fair amount of would would have been a fair amount of would would have been a fair amount of grumbling about the costly boondoggle grumbling about the costly boondoggle grumbling about the costly boondoggle the brother Kings had just retreated the brother Kings had just retreated the brother Kings had just retreated from with nothing to show for it how from with nothing to show for it how from with nothing to show for it how long would the brothers be tolerated if long would the brothers be tolerated if long would the brothers be tolerated if they didn't bring home some bacon and soon so in 441 the Huns crossed the danu soon so in 441 the Huns crossed the danu and began sacking Roman cities and towns and began sacking Roman cities and towns and began sacking Roman cities and towns make no mistake about it this time there make no mistake about it this time there make no mistake about it this time there was no cover story about pursuing was no cover story about pursuing was no cover story about pursuing Wayward vassals this was a straightup Wayward vassals this was a straightup Wayward vassals this was a straightup invasion of Roman Terr teritory with the invasion of Roman Terr teritory with the invasion of Roman Terr teritory with the intent of carting off any riches intent of carting off any riches intent of carting off any riches contained

contained contained therein well that's not exactly right therein well that's not exactly right therein well that's not exactly right carting off the riches contained therein carting off the riches contained therein carting off the riches contained therein was a nice bonus but it's pretty clear was a nice bonus but it's pretty clear was a nice bonus but it's pretty clear that the attacks were mostly about that the attacks were mostly about that the attacks were mostly about forcing Constantinople to once again forcing Constantinople to once again forcing Constantinople to once again increase the annual Indemnity it paid to increase the annual Indemnity it paid to increase the annual Indemnity it paid to the the the Hunts after all attacks campaigns and Hunts after all attacks campaigns and Hunts after all attacks campaigns and battles risked hun lives and battles risked hun lives and battles risked hun lives and treasure but sitting around while the treasure but sitting around while the treasure but sitting around while the weak willed and and Romans hand weak willed and and Romans hand weak willed and and Romans hand delivered wagons full of gold that delivered wagons full of gold that delivered wagons full of gold that risked almost nothing so why conquer risked almost nothing so why conquer risked almost nothing so why conquer Rome when you can just turn it into a Rome when you can just turn it into a Rome when you can just turn it into a taxpaying taxpaying taxpaying vassel so through 441 and 442 the Hunts vassel so through 441 and 442 the Hunts vassel so through 441 and 442 the Hunts commenced a series of Hit and Run raids commenced a series of Hit and Run raids commenced a series of Hit and Run raids to remind Constantinople just how to remind Constantinople just how to remind Constantinople just how insecure their borders were especially insecure their borders were especially insecure their borders were especially after they had foolishly sent that after they had foolishly sent that after they had foolishly sent that expedition off to the west to fight the expedition off to the west to fight the expedition off to the west to fight the vandals driving the point home that this vandals driving the point home that this vandals driving the point home that this time the Hunts really meant business the time the Hunts really meant business the time the Hunts really meant business the strongest and most important cities of strongest and most important cities of strongest and most important cities of the upper danu were targeted including the upper danu were targeted including the upper danu were targeted including the old imperial capital of serium which the old imperial capital of serium which the old imperial capital of serium which the Huns stormed in the late summer of 442 the Romans attempted to resist but 442 the Romans attempted to resist but having lost valuable resources to the having lost valuable resources to the having lost valuable resources to the expeditionary Force they were simply no expeditionary Force they were simply no expeditionary Force they were simply no match the Hun Army rolled right across match the Hun Army rolled right across match the Hun Army rolled right across daia and moia sacking almost every major daia and moia sacking almost every major daia and moia sacking almost every major city along the city along the city along the way which was without question the

way which was without question the way which was without question the single most shocking and terrifying single most shocking and terrifying single most shocking and terrifying development to Roman War development to Roman War development to Roman War planners you'll recall that the dynamic planners you'll recall that the dynamic planners you'll recall that the dynamic of the gothic war after the battle of of the gothic war after the battle of of the gothic war after the battle of Adrien opal was that friger and his Adrien opal was that friger and his Adrien opal was that friger and his Goths had the run of the open Plains but Goths had the run of the open Plains but Goths had the run of the open Plains but that they were unable to take any of the that they were unable to take any of the that they were unable to take any of the Cities since their Siege craft was real Cities since their Siege craft was real Cities since their Siege craft was real amateur hour amateur hour amateur hour stuff so as bad as it got the Goths stuff so as bad as it got the Goths stuff so as bad as it got the Goths could never close the could never close the could never close the a fact everyone eventually recognized a fact everyone eventually recognized a fact everyone eventually recognized and a fact that led the Goths to finally and a fact that led the Goths to finally and a fact that led the Goths to finally accept theodus as Peace accept theodus as Peace accept theodus as Peace overtures So when the Huns first started overtures So when the Huns first started overtures So when the Huns first started pouring across the danu it is entirely pouring across the danu it is entirely pouring across the danu it is entirely likely that the Roman High command likely that the Roman High command likely that the Roman High command thought that the same rules would thought that the same rules would thought that the same rules would apply okay we get the people and the apply okay we get the people and the apply okay we get the people and the food Behind the Walls the Huns run food Behind the Walls the Huns run food Behind the Walls the Huns run around for a little while it'll be around for a little while it'll be around for a little while it'll be rotten but we'll get through rotten but we'll get through rotten but we'll get through it but to their very great horror the it but to their very great horror the it but to their very great horror the Huns breach the walls of the first city Huns breach the walls of the first city Huns breach the walls of the first city they they hit and then the next city they they hit and then the next city they they hit and then the next city they hit and then the next city they they hit and then the next city they they hit and then the next city they hit this is what really launched the hit this is what really launched the hit this is what really launched the hunt into being nightmarish monsters hunt into being nightmarish monsters hunt into being nightmarish monsters from hell you couldn't hide from them anywhere so far as I can tell there is anywhere so far as I can tell there is no obvious explanation for why the Huns no obvious explanation for why the Huns no obvious explanation for why the Huns were so much better at Siege craft than were so much better at Siege craft than were so much better at Siege craft than any other Barbarian tribe but they were any other Barbarian tribe but they were any other Barbarian tribe but they were and there's speculation that their and there's speculation that their and there's speculation that their recurrent service with eus and the other recurrent service with eus and the other recurrent service with eus and the other r generals over the last 30 years had r generals over the last 30 years had r generals over the last 30 years had led them to pick up a trick or led them to pick up a trick or led them to pick up a trick or two and though that may be the best

two and though that may be the best two and though that may be the best rationale it doesn't really explain why rationale it doesn't really explain why rationale it doesn't really explain why the Goths remained so rotten at breaking the Goths remained so rotten at breaking the Goths remained so rotten at breaking into walled cities after they had served into walled cities after they had served into walled cities after they had served in and around the Roman Legions for the in and around the Roman Legions for the in and around the Roman Legions for the last 50 last 50 last 50 years so it is a bit of a mystery why years so it is a bit of a mystery why years so it is a bit of a mystery why the Huns were able to crack the nut that the Huns were able to crack the nut that the Huns were able to crack the nut that so far no other Barbarian Nation had so far no other Barbarian Nation had so far no other Barbarian Nation had been able to crack even the vandals down been able to crack even the vandals down been able to crack even the vandals down in North Africa owed their occupation of in North Africa owed their occupation of in North Africa owed their occupation of Carthage more to intimidation and Carthage more to intimidation and Carthage more to intimidation and betrayal than to Brute Force faced with the Stark reality of Force faced with the Stark reality of hun power the wind went out of hun power the wind went out of hun power the wind went out of theodosius I thei theodosius I thei theodosius I thei sails he absolutely had to get the Huns sails he absolutely had to get the Huns sails he absolutely had to get the Huns to stop their attacks his armies to stop their attacks his armies to stop their attacks his armies couldn't stop them his walls couldn't couldn't stop them his walls couldn't couldn't stop them his walls couldn't stop them so it would have to be the stop them so it would have to be the stop them so it would have to be the cash as I said Atilla and bled were not cash as I said Atilla and bled were not cash as I said Atilla and bled were not messing around this time and and after messing around this time and and after messing around this time and and after proving Beyond any doubt that they could proving Beyond any doubt that they could proving Beyond any doubt that they could pretty much do whatever they want pretty much do whatever they want pretty much do whatever they want whenever they wanted it was going to whenever they wanted it was going to whenever they wanted it was going to cost the Romans to get them to stop cost the Romans to get them to stop cost the Romans to get them to stop doing whatever they wanted whenever they doing whatever they wanted whenever they doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted for starters that annual wanted for starters that annual wanted for starters that annual Indemnity that you've been paying cross Indemnity that you've been paying cross Indemnity that you've been paying cross out 700 lb of gold and double it to out 700 lb of gold and double it to out 700 lb of gold and double it to 1,400 lb of gold got it okay next we 1,400 lb of gold got it okay next we 1,400 lb of gold got it okay next we have captured just scads of prisoners have captured just scads of prisoners have captured just scads of prisoners really we've got more of them than we really we've got more of them than we really we've got more of them than we know what to do with now we can either know what to do with now we can either know what to do with now we can either kill them or we'll sell them back to you kill them or we'll sell them back to you kill them or we'll sell them back to you say at 12 solid ey ahead a mere pittance say at 12 solid ey ahead a mere pittance say at 12 solid ey ahead a mere pittance we agree but we're feeling

we agree but we're feeling we agree but we're feeling generous so are we all good here just go generous so are we all good here just go generous so are we all good here just go ahead and put the gold over there there ahead and put the gold over there there ahead and put the gold over there there you go that's a good little you go that's a good little you go that's a good little Roman the Huns temporarily good to their Roman the Huns temporarily good to their Roman the Huns temporarily good to their word withdrew back across the danu after word withdrew back across the danu after word withdrew back across the danu after the money was the money was the money was delivered but the resulting peace cannot delivered but the resulting peace cannot delivered but the resulting peace cannot have felt at all secure to have felt at all secure to have felt at all secure to Constantinople the Eastern Le had been Constantinople the Eastern Le had been Constantinople the Eastern Le had been utterly shown up the defenses of key utterly shown up the defenses of key utterly shown up the defenses of key cities had been breached and the economy cities had been breached and the economy cities had been breached and the economy of the central Empire was thrashed and of the central Empire was thrashed and of the central Empire was thrashed and about to be overtaxed to pay the Huns to about to be overtaxed to pay the Huns to about to be overtaxed to pay the Huns to stay out and perhaps most frightening of stay out and perhaps most frightening of stay out and perhaps most frightening of all when you got right down to it all when you got right down to it all when you got right down to it nothing more than a handshake prevented nothing more than a handshake prevented nothing more than a handshake prevented the Huns from just coming right back the Huns from just coming right back the Huns from just coming right back over the danu but the Huns were more honorable danu but the Huns were more honorable than the Romans perhaps gave them credit than the Romans perhaps gave them credit than the Romans perhaps gave them credit for and they did indeed stay out of for and they did indeed stay out of for and they did indeed stay out of Roman territory for the next few years Roman territory for the next few years Roman territory for the next few years years it wouldn't be until the Romans years it wouldn't be until the Romans years it wouldn't be until the Romans broke the terms of the treaty that the broke the terms of the treaty that the broke the terms of the treaty that the Huns again launched themselves on an Huns again launched themselves on an Huns again launched themselves on an invasion this time one that would take invasion this time one that would take invasion this time one that would take them to the walls of Constantinople itself while the central Empire was itself while the central Empire was being ravaged by the Huns flavius eus being ravaged by the Huns flavius eus being ravaged by the Huns flavius eus was doing his best to keep a handle on was doing his best to keep a handle on was doing his best to keep a handle on things in the west which these days had things in the west which these days had things in the west which these days had less to do with Thinking Up Sound laws less to do with Thinking Up Sound laws less to do with Thinking Up Sound laws and running a competent Administration and running a competent Administration and running a competent Administration and more to do with managing an and more to do with managing an and more to do with managing an increasingly complicated system of increasingly complicated system of increasingly complicated system of treaties with recent Barbarian

treaties with recent Barbarian treaties with recent Barbarian immigrants in 442 when it became clear immigrants in 442 when it became clear immigrants in 442 when it became clear that no more help would be coming from that no more help would be coming from that no more help would be coming from the East thanks to the hunt invasion the East thanks to the hunt invasion the East thanks to the hunt invasion etus was forced to formally recognize etus was forced to formally recognize etus was forced to formally recognize Vandal dominion over North Vandal dominion over North Vandal dominion over North Africa now I know what you're thinking Africa now I know what you're thinking Africa now I know what you're thinking but it looks as though included in the but it looks as though included in the but it looks as though included in the treaty was a promise from the vandals to treaty was a promise from the vandals to treaty was a promise from the vandals to continue the gra shipments to Italy at continue the gra shipments to Italy at continue the gra shipments to Italy at least in least in least in part which makes sense when you think part which makes sense when you think part which makes sense when you think about it the economy of North Africa about it the economy of North Africa about it the economy of North Africa revolved around supplying Italy with revolved around supplying Italy with revolved around supplying Italy with food for ginak to Simply declare a trade food for ginak to Simply declare a trade food for ginak to Simply declare a trade embargo would have caused economic chaos embargo would have caused economic chaos embargo would have caused economic chaos in the lands he was now trying to rule in the lands he was now trying to rule in the lands he was now trying to rule probably to the point that his new probably to the point that his new probably to the point that his new regime would have been fatally destabilized plus cutting off the grain destabilized plus cutting off the grain would have essentially forced Rena to would have essentially forced Rena to would have essentially forced Rena to launch a full-scale war against the launch a full-scale war against the launch a full-scale war against the vandals which was not at all in garak's vandals which was not at all in garak's vandals which was not at all in garak's best best best interest but the deal did not just leave interest but the deal did not just leave interest but the deal did not just leave the status quo in place because not the status quo in place because not the status quo in place because not accounted for in the treaty was the tax accounted for in the treaty was the tax accounted for in the treaty was the tax revenue generated by all that revenue generated by all that revenue generated by all that agricultural production and agricultural production and agricultural production and trade that giner claimed for himself trade that giner claimed for himself trade that giner claimed for himself cutting off yet another huge source of cutting off yet another huge source of cutting off yet another huge source of Imperial Imperial Imperial Revenue so the Italians would not starve Revenue so the Italians would not starve Revenue so the Italians would not starve to death to death to death but it was getting damn hard for them to but it was getting damn hard for them to but it was getting damn hard for them to afford stuff like you know standing

armies this revised treaty with the armies this revised treaty with the vandals in place e has spent the next vandals in place e has spent the next vandals in place e has spent the next few years in Gul and hispania attempting few years in Gul and hispania attempting few years in Gul and hispania attempting to hold on to what little taxpaying to hold on to what little taxpaying to hold on to what little taxpaying territory Rena had territory Rena had territory Rena had left what remained of the burgundians left what remained of the burgundians left what remained of the burgundians were rounded up in 443 and force marched were rounded up in 443 and force marched were rounded up in 443 and force marched South where they were settled south of South where they were settled south of South where they were settled south of Lake Lake Lake Geneva eus then LED Roman forces against Geneva eus then LED Roman forces against Geneva eus then LED Roman forces against rebellions incursions and criminality of rebellions incursions and criminality of rebellions incursions and criminality of every shape and every shape and every shape and size through the mid 440s he fought the size through the mid 440s he fought the size through the mid 440s he fought the Franks and alons both of whom were Franks and alons both of whom were Franks and alons both of whom were trying to carve out larger niches for trying to carve out larger niches for trying to carve out larger niches for themselves than eus could responsibly themselves than eus could responsibly themselves than eus could responsibly allow he also had to deal with homegrown allow he also had to deal with homegrown allow he also had to deal with homegrown gangs of marauders who had grown into gangs of marauders who had grown into gangs of marauders who had grown into fairly large and organized fairly large and organized fairly large and organized bands their homes overrun and the bands their homes overrun and the bands their homes overrun and the economy in tatters many dis possessed economy in tatters many dis possessed economy in tatters many dis possessed Gallow Romans joined up with these gangs Gallow Romans joined up with these gangs Gallow Romans joined up with these gangs and started causing all sorts of and started causing all sorts of and started causing all sorts of additional Havoc for etus not just with additional Havoc for etus not just with additional Havoc for etus not just with their persistent harassment of what was their persistent harassment of what was their persistent harassment of what was left of the law-abiding citizens of the left of the law-abiding citizens of the left of the law-abiding citizens of the region but also because they were a region but also because they were a region but also because they were a constant threat to his Supply and constant threat to his Supply and constant threat to his Supply and communication lines as ET has tried to communication lines as ET has tried to communication lines as ET has tried to wage smallscale Wars on multiple fronts wage smallscale Wars on multiple fronts wage smallscale Wars on multiple fronts against multiple enemies but despite the fact that he had enemies but despite the fact that he had so many balls in the air by all accounts so many balls in the air by all accounts so many balls in the air by all accounts etus did a rem arable job holding things etus did a rem arable job holding things etus did a rem arable job holding things together sure he dropped North Africa together sure he dropped North Africa together sure he dropped North Africa which I should mention is the single which I should mention is the single which I should mention is the single biggest criticism leveled against him by biggest criticism leveled against him by biggest criticism leveled against him by historians in an otherwise unanimous

historians in an otherwise unanimous historians in an otherwise unanimous flood of glowing flood of glowing flood of glowing praise but other than that one glaring a praise but other than that one glaring a praise but other than that one glaring a mission he managed the European mission he managed the European mission he managed the European provinces about as well as you could provinces about as well as you could provinces about as well as you could hope given the resources at his hope given the resources at his hope given the resources at his disposal at the very least it's disposal at the very least it's disposal at the very least it's impressive that there was even still a impressive that there was even still a impressive that there was even still a Western Empire for Atilla to invade here Western Empire for Atilla to invade here Western Empire for Atilla to invade here in a couple of years in a couple of years in a couple of years and even more impressive than that that and even more impressive than that that and even more impressive than that that there was still a Western Empire left there was still a Western Empire left there was still a Western Empire left after Atilla came and went which etus after Atilla came and went which etus after Atilla came and went which etus gets and deserves most of the credit for speaking of Atilla after walting for speaking of Atilla after walting through the middle Empire as easily as through the middle Empire as easily as through the middle Empire as easily as if they had entered in some kind of if they had entered in some kind of if they had entered in some kind of cheat code he and his brother led the cheat code he and his brother led the cheat code he and his brother led the Huns back North across the danu in Huns back North across the danu in Huns back North across the danu in 444 after settling back down however the 444 after settling back down however the 444 after settling back down however the nearly inevitable able result of having nearly inevitable able result of having nearly inevitable able result of having co-rulers occurred and the brothers co-rulers occurred and the brothers co-rulers occurred and the brothers appear to have turned on one another appear to have turned on one another appear to have turned on one another each seeking sole control of the hunt each seeking sole control of the hunt each seeking sole control of the hunt Nation at least that's what we presume Nation at least that's what we presume Nation at least that's what we presume happened because in 445 bed suddenly happened because in 445 bed suddenly happened because in 445 bed suddenly drops dead and the universal assumption drops dead and the universal assumption drops dead and the universal assumption is that Atilla had his brother killed now the sole ruler of the Premier killed now the sole ruler of the Premier military power in The Wider military power in The Wider military power in The Wider Mediterranean World Atilla kicked back Mediterranean World Atilla kicked back Mediterranean World Atilla kicked back to enjoy the fruits of his labor to enjoy the fruits of his labor to enjoy the fruits of his labor except that theodus and his ministers except that theodus and his ministers except that theodus and his ministers down in Constantinople decided that the down in Constantinople decided that the down in Constantinople decided that the cracking of solidarity between the two cracking of solidarity between the two cracking of solidarity between the two brothers hinted at a larger fracturing brothers hinted at a larger fracturing brothers hinted at a larger fracturing of hun

of hun of hun Unity piecing together the cause and Unity piecing together the cause and Unity piecing together the cause and effect all this is no easy job but it effect all this is no easy job but it effect all this is no easy job but it looks like the Romans decided to test looks like the Romans decided to test looks like the Romans decided to test their theory of internal Discord among their theory of internal Discord among their theory of internal Discord among the Huns by abruptly cutting off the the Huns by abruptly cutting off the the Huns by abruptly cutting off the indemnity indemnity indemnity payments or based on some math that will payments or based on some math that will payments or based on some math that will get to an assess get to an assess get to an assess that they never actually started sending that they never actually started sending that they never actually started sending them at all counting on the new rivalry them at all counting on the new rivalry them at all counting on the new rivalry between Atilla and bled to keep the Huns between Atilla and bled to keep the Huns between Atilla and bled to keep the Huns too busy to worry about a few missed too busy to worry about a few missed too busy to worry about a few missed carts of gold by 447 though Atilla had emerged gold by 447 though Atilla had emerged Victorious from the power struggle Victorious from the power struggle Victorious from the power struggle Consolidated his authority over the Consolidated his authority over the Consolidated his authority over the whole hunt nation and was now free to whole hunt nation and was now free to whole hunt nation and was now free to wonder where his money wonder where his money wonder where his money is the reason it is questioned whether is the reason it is questioned whether is the reason it is questioned whether the Romans ever sent along a payment the Romans ever sent along a payment the Romans ever sent along a payment after the settlement of after the settlement of after the settlement of 442443 is because of the initial demand 442443 is because of the initial demand 442443 is because of the initial demand Atilla delivered to the Romans in early Atilla delivered to the Romans in early Atilla delivered to the Romans in early 447 his ambassadors to Constantinople 447 his ambassadors to Constantinople 447 his ambassadors to Constantinople presented a bill to theodosius for 6,000 presented a bill to theodosius for 6,000 presented a bill to theodosius for 6,000 pound of gold which when you do the math pound of gold which when you do the math pound of gold which when you do the math covers four years worth of missed Roman covers four years worth of missed Roman covers four years worth of missed Roman payments the Romans rejected the payments the Romans rejected the payments the Romans rejected the demand they had had four years to demand they had had four years to demand they had had four years to consolidate their power along the danu consolidate their power along the danu consolidate their power along the danu and were itch to see if they could and were itch to see if they could and were itch to see if they could permanently refuse the Hun leg permanently refuse the Hun leg permanently refuse the Hun leg Breakers so in early 447 the Roman Bill Breakers so in early 447 the Roman Bill Breakers so in early 447 the Roman Bill still unpaid atella once again LED his still unpaid atella once again LED his still unpaid atella once again LED his forces on a sweeping invasion of the forces on a sweeping invasion of the forces on a sweeping invasion of the central

central central Empire once again the Roman forces were Empire once again the Roman forces were Empire once again the Roman forces were made to look like made to look like made to look like fools four years of planning and fools four years of planning and fools four years of planning and entrenchment had amounted to exactly entrenchment had amounted to exactly entrenchment had amounted to exactly nothing a Roman field Army met the hunts nothing a Roman field Army met the hunts nothing a Roman field Army met the hunts near the river uus and though they were near the river uus and though they were near the river uus and though they were able to inflict more damage on the Huns able to inflict more damage on the Huns able to inflict more damage on the Huns than any Roman Force had ever before than any Roman Force had ever before than any Roman Force had ever before inflicted on a Tilla the legions were inflicted on a Tilla the legions were inflicted on a Tilla the legions were soon overwhelmed and soon overwhelmed and soon overwhelmed and Scattered which left the road to Scattered which left the road to Scattered which left the road to Constantinople wide open and that was Constantinople wide open and that was Constantinople wide open and that was exactly the road Atilla intended to take exactly the road Atilla intended to take exactly the road Atilla intended to take it was time to plant a flag in the it was time to plant a flag in the it was time to plant a flag in the emperor's backyard and his timing could not have backyard and his timing could not have been better because on January the 27th been better because on January the 27th been better because on January the 27th 447 ad a massive Earth earthquake struck 447 ad a massive Earth earthquake struck 447 ad a massive Earth earthquake struck Constantinople and you guessed it the Constantinople and you guessed it the Constantinople and you guessed it the theod ocean walls were severely theod ocean walls were severely theod ocean walls were severely damaged broken crumbled with enormous damaged broken crumbled with enormous damaged broken crumbled with enormous gaping gaping gaping holes this looked like it could spell holes this looked like it could spell holes this looked like it could spell the end for the capital the end for the capital the end for the capital city a Tilla the Hun a Tilla the Hun was city a Tilla the Hun a Tilla the Hun was city a Tilla the Hun a Tilla the Hun was on his way at the head of an army that on his way at the head of an army that on his way at the head of an army that had thus far proved totally invincible had thus far proved totally invincible had thus far proved totally invincible and the only hope of the city the and the only hope of the city the and the only hope of the city the theodocian walls was now a broken shell theodocian walls was now a broken shell theodocian walls was now a broken shell of its former of its former of its former self and it's not like the people of self and it's not like the people of self and it's not like the people of Constantinople were going to get the Constantinople were going to get the Constantinople were going to get the fortifications rebuilt before the Huns fortifications rebuilt before the Huns fortifications rebuilt before the Huns arrived unless of course they arrived unless of course they arrived unless of course they did in one of the most remarkable Feats

did in one of the most remarkable Feats did in one of the most remarkable Feats of the ancient world engineers and of the ancient world engineers and of the ancient world engineers and laborers half out of their minds with laborers half out of their minds with laborers half out of their minds with fear worked around the clock at a fear worked around the clock at a fear worked around the clock at a frantic Pace to put the theod ocean frantic Pace to put the theod ocean frantic Pace to put the theod ocean walls back walls back walls back together in March of 447 with Atilla together in March of 447 with Atilla together in March of 447 with Atilla still maybe 100 miles out the last brick still maybe 100 miles out the last brick still maybe 100 miles out the last brick was was was laid in Just 2 months the citizens of laid in Just 2 months the citizens of laid in Just 2 months the citizens of Constantinople had completely rebuilt Constantinople had completely rebuilt Constantinople had completely rebuilt the theodocian walls and as a result the theodocian walls and as a result the theodocian walls and as a result they now stood a reasonably good chance they now stood a reasonably good chance they now stood a reasonably good chance of turning a Tilla of turning a Tilla of turning a Tilla back fear as has been shown in study back fear as has been shown in study back fear as has been shown in study after study is probably the single after study is probably the single after study is probably the single greatest motivator in all the world when atella reached constant anop world when atella reached constant anop in mid 447 a Roman army was mustered to in mid 447 a Roman army was mustered to in mid 447 a Roman army was mustered to oppose him but the Huns promptly blew oppose him but the Huns promptly blew oppose him but the Huns promptly blew through them without even breaking a through them without even breaking a through them without even breaking a sweat this was almost to be sweat this was almost to be sweat this was almost to be expected then everyone held their breath expected then everyone held their breath expected then everyone held their breath to see what would happen to see what would happen to see what would happen next would the new walls next would the new walls next would the new walls hold the Huns attacked and were repulsed hold the Huns attacked and were repulsed hold the Huns attacked and were repulsed they attacked some more and were they attacked some more and were they attacked some more and were repulsed some more there was nothing the repulsed some more there was nothing the repulsed some more there was nothing the Huns could do the theat ocean walls were Huns could do the theat ocean walls were Huns could do the theat ocean walls were impregnable Atilla had taken serium and impregnable Atilla had taken serium and impregnable Atilla had taken serium and NIS and philipopoulos and every other NIS and philipopoulos and every other NIS and philipopoulos and every other Roman city he had ever laid eyes on but Roman city he had ever laid eyes on but Roman city he had ever laid eyes on but when he hit the theod ocean walls he was when he hit the theod ocean walls he was when he hit the theod ocean walls he was stopped dead in his stopped dead in his stopped dead in his tracks so just like every other invading

tracks so just like every other invading tracks so just like every other invading Army that would come and go over the Army that would come and go over the Army that would come and go over the next Thousand Years the Huns were forced next Thousand Years the Huns were forced next Thousand Years the Huns were forced to withdraw from to withdraw from to withdraw from Constantinople but just because there Constantinople but just because there Constantinople but just because there was this one thing on earth that could was this one thing on earth that could was this one thing on earth that could stop the Huns that didn't mean that stop the Huns that didn't mean that stop the Huns that didn't mean that there was anything else on earth that there was anything else on earth that there was anything else on earth that could stop the could stop the could stop the Huns by the end of 447 Atilla was on the Huns by the end of 447 Atilla was on the Huns by the end of 447 Atilla was on the other side of the Sea of marmura near other side of the Sea of marmura near other side of the Sea of marmura near the entrance to the helispot when he the entrance to the helispot when he the entrance to the helispot when he encountered a second branch of the encountered a second branch of the encountered a second branch of the Eastern Eastern Eastern Army this Army fared no better than Army this Army fared no better than Army this Army fared no better than their brothers had fared at utus and in their brothers had fared at utus and in their brothers had fared at utus and in front of front of front of Constantinople the Huns blasted them to Constantinople the Huns blasted them to Constantinople the Huns blasted them to Smither the East was now essentially Smither the East was now essentially Smither the East was now essentially left without any field armies and aside left without any field armies and aside left without any field armies and aside from the theodocian walls left without from the theodocian walls left without from the theodocian walls left without any way to defend any way to defend any way to defend itself what in the world were they going itself what in the world were they going itself what in the world were they going to do now that question is going to have to now that question is going to have to wait for next time and unfortunately wait for next time and unfortunately wait for next time and unfortunately next time is going to have to wait a few next time is going to have to wait a few next time is going to have to wait a few weeks I know you are as surprised to weeks I know you are as surprised to weeks I know you are as surprised to hear this as I am to say it but the next hear this as I am to say it but the next hear this as I am to say it but the next History of Rome tour has History of Rome tour has History of Rome tour has arrived we will be gone from February arrived we will be gone from February arrived we will be gone from February the 24th through March the 6th so the the 24th through March the 6th so the the 24th through March the 6th so the next episode of the history of Rome is next episode of the history of Rome is next episode of the history of Rome is tentatively scheduled for March the 12th tentatively scheduled for March the 12th tentatively scheduled for March the 12th which will be the Sunday after I get which will be the Sunday after I get which will be the Sunday after I get back I'm hoping I'll be able to turn back I'm hoping I'll be able to turn back I'm hoping I'll be able to turn that episode around for you so I don't that episode around for you so I don't that episode around for you so I don't disappear off the grid forever but life disappear off the grid forever but life disappear off the grid forever but life is quite a bit more hectic these days is quite a bit more hectic these days is quite a bit more hectic these days than it used to be so you never

than it used to be so you never than it used to be so you never know if the episode on March 12 is not know if the episode on March 12 is not know if the episode on March 12 is not going to happen I promise I'll let you going to happen I promise I'll let you going to happen I promise I'll let you know as soon as I know and I also know as soon as I know and I also know as soon as I know and I also promise that I'll have a darn good promise that I'll have a darn good promise that I'll have a darn good reason for not doing reason for not doing reason for not doing it for those of you who are going on the it for those of you who are going on the it for those of you who are going on the tour I can't wait to meet you for those tour I can't wait to meet you for those tour I can't wait to meet you for those of you who aren't going on the tour be of you who aren't going on the tour be of you who aren't going on the tour be sure to stop by the history of Rome sure to stop by the history of Rome sure to stop by the history of Rome tour.com drop us a line and let us know tour.com drop us a line and let us know tour.com drop us a line and let us know that you're super sad you aren't going that you're super sad you aren't going that you're super sad you aren't going this time around but can't wait to find this time around but can't wait to find this time around but can't wait to find out when the next tour is so that you out when the next tour is so that you out when the next tour is so that you and your whole family can come and your whole family can come and your whole family can come along the history of Rome tour is super along the history of Rome tour is super along the history of Rome tour is super fun and I think everyone who has done it fun and I think everyone who has done it fun and I think everyone who has done it so far will attest to so far will attest to so far will attest to that so I will see you in a few weeks that so I will see you in a few weeks that so I will see you in a few weeks and for some of you I will see you in a and for some of you I will see you in a and for some of you I will see you in a few days few days few days [Music]